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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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7 


HiotDgraphic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WES;  AftAtN  STREET 

WE3STEK,N  V.  14S80 

(716)  872-4503 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Cen&dian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  canadien  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  at  bibliographiques 


The 
tot 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


D 


D 


n 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommagde 


□    Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurde  et/ou  pelliculde 

□    Cover  title  missing/ 
Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


I      I    Coloured  maps/ 


Cartes  gdographiques  en  couleur 


Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


I      I    Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 


Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Re\\6  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  Mure  serr^e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  I? 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  intdrieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajout^es 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  6tait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6x6  filmdes. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppldmentaires: 


L'Institut  a  microfilmd  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  mdthode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiquds  ci-dessous. 


D 
D 
D 
El 
0 
0 


D 
D 


Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagdes 

Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaurdes  et/ou  pelliculdes 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  decolorizes,  tachetdes  ou  piqu6es 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d^tachdes 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 


The 
pes 
of 
filni 


Ori| 
beg 
the 
8lc- 
oth 
firs 
sior 
or 


I      I    Quality  of  print  varies/ 


Quality  in^gale  do  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplementaire 


Th€ 
she 
TIN 
whi 

Ma 
diff 
ent 
bed 
righ 
reqi 
met 


Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6t^  filmdes  d  nouveau  de  fapon  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmd  au  taux  de  ri§duction  indiqud  ci-dessous 

10X                              14X                              18X                             22X 

26X 

SOX 

y 

12X 

16X 

20X 

24X 

28X 

32X 

The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

University  of  British  Columbia  Library 


L'exemplaire  film6  fut  reproduit  grAce  A  la 
g6n6rosit6  de: 

University  of  British  Columbia  Library 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Les  images  suivantes  ont  M  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettet6  de  l'exemplaire  film6,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  lasi  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sic-f  or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


Les  exemplaires  origlnaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimie  sont  filmis  en  commen^ant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  las  autres  exemplaires 
origlnaux  sont  filmis  en  commandant  par  la 
premiere  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  derniire  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  —»•(  meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  ia 
dernidre  image  de  chaque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  -^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
filmAs  A  des  taux  de  reduction  diff^rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seui  clich6,  ii  est  film6  i  partir 
de  I'angle  sup6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  ndcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mdthode. 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

S 

6 

.«^- 


1 


i 


i 


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ly 


THE 


Terrors  of  the  Sea, 


AS  POBTBAYED  IN  ACCOUNTS  OP 

FIEE  AND   WRECK, 

A.ND   NABBATIVES   OF 

POOR  WRETCHES  FORCED    TO   ABANDON    THEIR 
^FLOATING    HOMES    WITHOUT     FOOD    OR 
C  £^  WATER,        THUS       COMPELLING 

THEM     TO     RESORT    TO 


■^ 


Cannibalism,  with  its  Attendant  Horrors. 


By   an    old   salt. 


NEW  YORK 

HURST  AND  COMPANY 

P[JBLI8HBR8 


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CONTENTS. 


W 


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»-'.      m 


Shipwreck  of  the  Frances  Mary        «        .        -        •  f 

Loss  c!  uie  Ship  Albion  on  the  Coast  of  Irebad          -  «S 

Loss  of  the  Ship  Logan  by  fire        -        •        •        •  8 

Loss  of  the  Ship  Margaret,  of  Salem          •        •        «  10 

Burning  of  the  Kent,  East  Indiaman           •        -  f4 

Loss  of  the  Ship  Boston,  by  fire        -        •        •        -  81 

Loss  of  the  whale  Ship  Essex,  of  Nantucket,  and  the 

suosequent  sufferings  of  the  crew           •        •        -  84 

Narrauve  of  the  wreck  of  the  English  Ship  Isabella      •  86 

Explosion  of  the  U.  S.  Steam  Frigate  Fulton     •        •41 

Skeleton  of  the  wreck            •        -        •        *        •  4f 

Explosion  of  the  Steamboat  Helen  Mc'GregCir        -  44 

Loss  of  the  Ship  Beverly,  by  fire                   •        •'  49 

Loss  of  the  Ship  Hercules  on  the  coast  of  Caffiraria,  and 
thb  sufferings  of  the  crew  on  their  journey  to  the  Cape 

of  Good  Hope            -        -        -        -        •        -  51 

De9cnpti.on  of  a  storm  at  Set            -        •        •        •  .79 

WreoK  of  the  Brig  Commerce  on  the  Wentan  cotat  of 

Afirica        ..•..••  88 


The  Spanish  Wreck 
The  Fatal  Repsit 


Denojw 


-  lit 
•  118 

•  in 


Vlli 


CONTENTS. 


I' 

I- 


- 


I 

1 


Narrative  of  Oap^  W.  L.  Cazneaii  -        -  .  130 

The  Mam-Truck,  or  a  Leap  for  Life  -       -  .  134 

The  Frigate  Constitution       -        -  -        •  •  143 

Loss  of  the  British  Ship  Hibernia  ...  153 

Mutiny  of  the  Sliip  Bounty           -  -        -  -  155 

Narrative  of  Oapt.  Lincoln             «  *        -  -  109 

Narrative  of  John  R  JeweU,  of  the  Ship  Boston,  taken 

'"^'yllie  "Savages  at  Nootka  Sound  *        -  -  207 

A  Monkey  Trick                     •       -  -        -  -  286 

The  Eddystone  Lighthouse     -        •  -        -  •  286 

A  Polite  Sea  Robber -  -  290 

Forty-five  Days  Sufferings      -►---•  293 

The  Pirate'a -Treasure    -        -        -  -        -  .  299 

Wreck  of  the  Cumberland  Packet  -        -  -  316 

Loss  of  the  Brig  Sally                     -  «        "  -  319 

Sufferings  of  Ephraim  How           -  -        -  «     '  321 

Voyage  from  Halifax  to  Bermuda  ,        -  ^  323 

Loss  of  the  Transport  Hurpooner  -        -  -  327 

A  Tale  of  the  Sea                   -        -  -        -  '   -  331 

Loss  of  the  Lady  of  the  Lake           -  -        ■>  «  834 


'if 


. 


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BOOR  OF  THE  OCEA.N. 


..if*.- 


/... 


SHUnVRKC^K  OK   niK  FRANCES  MART 

The  Frances  ]NIa» y  wfi.s  a  new  Hhip,  of  about  400  tons'  bur- 
then, commanded  by  (^apt.  Kendall,  and  bound  from  New 
Brunswick  to  Liverpool,  laden  with  timber.  We  publish  the 
following  particulars  of  ()ii»  dreadful  disaster  as  related  by 
Capt.  Kendall. 

Sailed  from  St.  Johns,  N.  B.,  Jan.  18,  1826.  Feb.  1,  strong 
gales  from  the  W.  N.  W., — carried  away  the  main-topmast  and 
mizzen-mast  head  ; — hove  to, — got  boat's  sails  in  the  main 
rigging,  to  keep  the  ship  to  the  wind.  At  1 1 ,  P.  M.  shipped  a 
heavy  sea,  which  washed  away  the  cabouse,  jolly  boat,  and 
disabled  five  men.  Feb.  2,  cleared  away  the  wreck  and  made 
sail  before  the  wind^  strong  breezes.  Feb.  5,  11 ,  A.  M.,  strong 
g  lies,  with  a  heavy  sea;  clewed  up  the  sails  and  hove  to,  head 
to  the  southward;^ — shipped  a  sea,  which  carried  away  the 
long  boat,  companion,  tiller,  the  best  bower  chain,  unship- 
ped the  rudder,  and  washed  a  man  overboard,  who  was  after- 
wards saved.  At  10,  P.  31.  another  heavy  sea  struck  us, 
which  stove  in  our  stern.  Cut  away  our  foremast  and  both 
bower  anchors,  to  keep  the  ship  to  the  wind.  Employed  in 
getting  what  provision  we  could,  by  knocking  out  the  bow  port; 
Raved  50  lbs.  of  bread  and  5  lbs.  of  cheese,  which  we  stowed 
m  the  maintop.  Got  the  master's  wife  and  female  passenger 
up,  whilst  we  were  clearing  away  below,  lightening  the  ship, 
most  of  the  people  slept  in  the  top.  At  daylight,  found  Pat- 
rick Conney  hanging  by  his  legs  to  the  catharpins,  dead  from 
fatigue; — compiit-ted  his  body  to  the  deep, 

Feb.  6,  at  8,  A.  M.,  sav/  a  strange  sail  standing  lowards  ua, 
made  signals  of  distress, — stranger  spoke  us,  and  remained  in 


ff^4HVKQE9V 


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Til    fRA^ClS    MAftT 


company  S4  houri,  but  gave  us  no  asBistance;  the  American 
making  an  excuse  that  the  sea  was  running  too  high  Made 
a  tent  of  spare  canvass  on  the  forecastle — put  the  people  on  an 
allowance  of  quarter  of  a  biscuit  a  day.  Feb.  8,  saw  a  brig  to 
'eeward — strong  gales.  Feb.  9,  10  A.  M.,  observed  the  jame 
'essei  to  windward — made  the  signal  of  distress  ;  stranger 
liore  up  and  shewed  American  colors.  Feb.  10,  he  spoke  us, 
asking  how  long  we  had  been  in  that  situation,  and  what  va 
intended  to  do, — if  we  intended  leaving  the  ship.^  Answered 
yes  He  then  asked  if  we  had  any  rigging?  Answered  yes. 
Night  coming  on,  and  blowing  hard,  saw  no  more  of  the  stran- 
ger.    Suffered  from  hunger  and  thirst. 

On  this  11th,  saw  a  large  .ship  to  the  northward — did  not 
speak  her; — wore  head  to  the  northward.  At  this  time  all 
our  provisions  were  out,  suffered  much  from  hunger,  having 
received  no  nourishment  for  nine  days.  Feb.  1^,  departed  this 
life,  James  Clark,  seaman, — read  prayers,  and  committed  his 
body  to  the  deep.  We  were  at  this  time  on  a  half  gill  of  water  a 
day,  and  suffered  much  from  hunger.  During  the  whole  period 
of  being  on  the  wreck  we  were  wet  from  top  to  toe.  Feb.  22, 
John  Wilson,  seaman,  died  at  10,  A.  M.;  preserved  the  body 
of  the  deceased,  cut  him  up  in  quarters,  washed  them  over- 
board, and  hung  them  up  on  pins.  Feb.  23,  J.  Moore  died, 
and  was  thrown  overboard,  having  eaten  pari  of  him,  such  as 
the  liver  and  heart.  From  this  date  to  Saturday,  dth  of  March, 
the  followi  .umber  perished  from  hunger,  viz  .  Henry 
Davis,  a  We».  .  boy,  Alex.  Keliey,  seaman,  John  Jones,  ap- 
prentice boy,  nephew  of  the  owner,  James  Frier,  cook, 
Daniel  Jones,  seaman,  John  Hutchinson,  seaman,  and  John 
Jones,  a  boy — threw  the  last  named  overboard  his  blood  being 
bkt.er. 

James  Frier  was  working  his  passage  home,  under  a  pro- 
mise of  marriage  to  Ann  Saunders,  the  female  passenger 
who  attended  on  the  master's  wife,  and  who,  when  she  heard 
of  Frier's  death,  shrieked  a  loud  yell,  then  snatching  a  cup 
from  Clerk,  the  mate,  cut  her  late  inten(^ed  husband's  threat 
and  drank  his  blood  !  insisting  that  she  had  the  greatest  right 
to  i .  A  scuffle  ensued,  but  the  heroine  got  the  better  of  her 
adversary  and  then  allowed  him  to  drink  •ne  cup  to  hei 
two. 

Feb.  26,  on  or  about  this  day  an  English  brig  hove  m  sight 
hoisted  the  ensign  downward,  stranger  hauled  his  wind  towards 
us,  and  hauled  his  for3sail  up  wnrn  abreast  of  us;  kept  his 
counM  aiODUt  one  mile  distant — set  bis  foresail,  and  we  soob. 


43L 


f 


>eing 


cup 

lire  at 

'ight 

her 

hei 


TU   FkiJfCKf    MAKT 


11 


Mi. 


lost  sight  of  him — fresh  breeze  with  a  little   rain-^the  sea 
quite  smooth,  but  he  went  off  having  shown  English  coloro 
Had  he  at  thia  time  taken  us  otf  the  wreck,  much  of  the  sub 
sequent  dreadful  suffering  would  have  l)een  spared  us. 

March  7.  His  B.  M.  ship  Blonde  came  m  sight,  and  to 
our  relief,  in  lat.  44,  43,  North,  long.  31,  57,  W.  Words  are 
quite  inadequate  to  express  our  feelings,  as  well  as  those 
which  Lord  Byron  and  our  deliverers  most  evidently  possess* 
ed,  when  they  had  come  to  rescue  six  of  their  fellow  crea- 
tures, two  of  them  females,  from  a  most  awful,  lingering,  but 
certain  death.  It  came  on  to  blow  during  the  night  a  fresh 
gale,  which  wouid  no  doubt  have  swept  us  all  overboard. 
Lieut  Gambler  came  in  the  ship's  cutter  to  bring  us  from  the 
wreck.  He  observed  to  us,  '*  You  have  yet,  I  perceive, 
fresh  meat."  To  which  we  were  compelled  to  reply,  "  No  sir, 
it  is  part  of  a  man,  one  of  our  unfortunate  crew, — it  was  our 
intention  to  put  ourselves  on  an  allowance  even  of  this  food 
this  evening,  had  not  you  come  to  our  relief."  The  master's 
wife,  who  underwent  all  the  most  horrid  sufferings  which  the 
human  understanding  can  imagine,  bore  them  much  better 
than  could  possibly  have  been  expected.  She  is  now,  al- 
hough  much  emaciated,  a  respectable  good  looking  woman, 
about  25  years  of  age,  and  the  mother  of  a  boy  7  years  old. 
But  what  must  have  been  the  extremity  of  want  to  which  she 
was  driven,  when  she  ate  the  brains  of  one  of  the  apprentices, 
saying  it  was  the  most  delicious  thing  she  ever  tasted  ;  and  it 
is  still  more  melancholy  to  relate,  that  the  person,  whose 
brains  she  was  thus  forced  by  hunger  to  eat,  had  been  three 
times  wrecked  before,  but  was  providentially  picked  up  by  a 
vessel,  afler  being  2*2  days  on  the  wreck,  water  logged:  but 
in  the  present  instance,  he  perished,  (having  survived  similar 
sufferings  for  a  space  of  twenty  nine  days,)  and  then  became 
food  for  his  remaining  shipmates  ! 

Ann  Saunders,  the  other  female,  had  more  strength  in  her 
calamity  than  most  of  the  men.  She  performed  the  duty  of 
cutting  up  and  cleaning  the  dead  bodies,  keeping  two  knives 
for  the  purpose  in  her  monkey  jacket;  and  when  the  breath 
was  announced  to  have  flown,  she  would  sharpen  her  knives, 
bleed  the  deceased  in  the  neck,  drink  his  blood,  and  cut  him 
up  as  usual.  From  want  of  water,  those  who  perished  drank 
their  own  urine  and  salt  water.  They  became  foolish,  and 
crawled  tipon  their  hands  round  the  deck  when  they  conld, 
fund  died,  generally,  raving  mad  ! 


/ 


12 


THB  SHIP  AliBIOK. 


After  floating  about  tbe  Ooeau  for  some  months,  this  ill-fated 
vessel  was  fallen  in  with  by  tiu  Eugliwh  ship,  and  carried  into 
Jamaica,  where  she  was  refitted,  and  again  sent  to  sea.  The 
putrid  remains  of  human  bo<lie8,  which  had  been  the  only  food  of 
the  unfortunate  survivors,  wm  found  on  board  the  vesseL 


...V.  V'l 


M 


^..  ,;-l.^- 


■    :-,..•.;.....    i.\.,-_ 


LOSS  OF  THE  SHIP  AIjBION; 

The  following  account  of  this  melancholy  shipwreok  was  given 
by  Henry  Cammyer,  first  mate  of  the  vessel. 

We  sailed  from  New  York  on  the  first  of  April,  1822,  in  the  ship 
Albion,  of  447  tons,  with  a  crew,  including  officers,  of  twenty-five 
in  number,  besides  twenty-three  cabin  and  six  steerage  passengers; 
making  in  the  whole  fifty-four  persons,  only  nine  of  whom  now 
live  to  relate  the  melancholy  tale.  For  the  first  twenty  days  we 
continued  our  voyage  with  moderate  and  favorable  weather ;  and 
at  about  half  past  one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  Sunday  the  21st, 
we  made  land.  The  Fastnet  rock  bore  by  compass.  E.  N.  E.,  dis- 
tance about  three  leagues.  At  2,  made  Cape  Clear,  bearing  E.  and 
by  N.,  distance  about  two  leagues.     Thick  and  foggy,  blowing 


■t 


mi   IHir   ALBION 


19 


fated 
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ihip 
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ow 
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and 
1st, 
(iis- 
md 


(reth,  and  hetivy  nqualls  from  the  aouthwarJ.  Ship  heading 
up  E.  S.  £.,carrjmg  all  prudent  sail  to  crowd  the  snip  off  the 
land.  The  gale  increasing,  shortened  sail  occasionally.  At 
4  o^clock,  then  under  double  reefed  topsails,  fijresail  and 
mainsail,  carried  away  the  foreyard,  and  split  the  foretops^il 
Got  the  pieces  of  the  y  rd  down,  and  prepared  to  get  another 
yard  up.  Gale  increasing,  about  half  past  four,  took  in  the 
mainsail  and  mizzen-topsail,  and  set  the  main-trysail.  Night 
coming  on,  cleared  the  decks  tor  working  ship.  At  half  past 
eight,  gale  Htill  increasing,  with  a  high  sea.  Shipped  a  heavy 
sea,  which  threw  the  ship  on  her  beam  ends,  and  carried  away 
the  mainmast  by  the  deck,  the  head  of  the  mizzen-mast,  and 
fore-topmast,  and  swept  the  deck,  clear  of  every  thing,  includ- 
mg  boats,  cabouse  house,  bulw.arks  and  compasses,  and  stove 
m  all  the  hatches,  state  rooms,  and  bulwarks  in  the  cabin, 
which  was  nearly  filled  with  water.  At  the  same  moment,  six 
of  the  crew  and  one  cabin  passenger,  Mr.  A.  B,  Coavers,  of 
Troy,  N.  Y.,  were  swept  overboarJ. 

The  ship  being  unmanageable,  anu  the  sea  making  a  com- 
plete breach  over  her,  we  were  obliged  to  lash  ourselves  to 
the  pumps,  and  being  in  total  darkness,  without  correct  com* 
passes,  could  not  tell  how  the  ship^s  head  lay.  The  axes 
being  swept  away,  had  no  means  of  clearing  the  wreck 
About  1  o^olock,  made  the  li^ht  of  the  Old  Head  of  Kinsale, 
but  could  not  ascertain  how  it  bore;  and  at  :2,  found  the  ship 
embayed.  The  Captain,  anticipating  our  melancholy  fate, 
called  all  the  passengers  up,  who  had  not  before  been  on  deck. 
Many  of  them  had  received  considerable  injury  when  the  sea 
first  struck  her,  and  were  scarcely  able  to  come  on  deck  ; 
others  had  been  incessantly  assisting  at  the  pumps;  and  it  is 
an  interesting  fa^^t,  that  Miss  Powell,  an  amiable  young  lady, 
who  was  on  board,  was  desirous  to  be  allowed  to  take  her  turn. 
One  gentleman,  who  had  been  extremely  ill  during  the  pas- 
sage, Mr.  William  Everhart,  of  Chester,  Penn.,  was  too 
feeble  to  crawl  to  the  deck  without  assistance,  but  strange  to 
(tay,  ho  was  the  only  cabin  passenger  who  was  saved. 

Our  situation  at  that  moment,  is  indescribable,  and  I  can 
scarcely  dwell  upon,  much  less  attempt  to  detail  its  horrors. 
About  3  o'clock,  the  ship  struck  on  a  reef,  her  upper  works 
Dcat  in  over  the  rocks,  and  in  about  half  an  hour  utter  coming 
n  over  thf  first  reef,  she  parted  midships,  nnd  her  quarter 
■\"c.k  drifiod  in  on  the  top  of  tht;  insid..  ledge,  immediately 
*  iider   the  cliffs.      Up  to  tho  ppricvJ.  of   her  parting,   nearly 


C;N'on'-7   peiT.ona    were    n-ii);:^m5"    i)    the   wreclc,    amon^*  whom 


14 


THB  SHIP   ALBIOM. 


were  two  females,  Mrs  Pye,  and  M108  Powell.  Captau 
tVilliams  had,  with  several  otheis,  been  swept  AMi&y  booo 
after  she  struck;  a  circumstance  which  may  be  attributed  to 
the  very  extraordinary  exertions  which  he  used,  to  the  last 
moment,  for  the  prrservation  of  the  lives  of  the  unfortunate 
passengers  and  crew. 

A  short  time  before  she  parted,  myself  and  six  of  the  crew 
got  away  from  the  vessel.  After  gaining  a  rock  in  a  very  ex- 
hausted state,  I  was  washed  oft*,  but  by  the  assistance  of 
Providence,  was  enabled,  before  the  return  of  the  sea,  to 
rcgam  it ;  and  before  I  could  attempt  to  climb  the  cliff,  which 
was  nearly  perpendicular,  I  was  obliged  to  lie  down,  to  regain 
a  little  strength,  after  the  severe  bruises  and  contusions  I  had 
received  on  the  body  and  feet.  One  of  the  passengers.  Col 
Augustine  J.  Prevost,  reached  the  rock  with  me  alive,  but  was, 
together  with  one  of  the  stewards,  washed  oft'and  drowned. 

Some  of  the  passengers  were  suffocated  on  deck  and  in  the 
fore  rigging,  and  some  must  have  been  destroyed  by  an  anchor 
which  was  loose  on  the  forecastle  before  the  ship  parted.  It 
is  scarcely  possible  to  describe  the  devastation  which  follow- 
ed. The  entire  cargo,  consisting  of  cotton,  rice,  turpentine 
and  beeswax,  together  with  a  quantity  of  silver  and  gold,  to  a 
large  amount,  was  in  all  directions  beaten  to  pieces  by  the 
severity  of  the  sea,  without  a  possibility  of  saving  it. 

Very  soon  after  we  got  upon  the  clifts,  my  poor  shipmates 
and  myself  found  our  way  to  a  peasant's  cottage.  Early  in 
the  morning,  Mr.  James  B.  Gibbens,  of  Ballinspittle,  came  to 
me  from  the  wreck,  where  he  had  been  since  five  o'clock,  en- 
deavoring to  save  some  of  the  lives  He  most  humanely  sent 
Mr.  Everhart,  Mr.  Raymond, ^the  boy,  and  myself,  to  his 
house,  about  a  mile  from  the  spot,  where  we  experienced  the 
kindest  and  most  hospitable  attention.  The  remaining  sur- 
vivors  -^vere  taken  home  by  Mr.  Purcell,  steward  of  Thomas 
Rochfort,  Esq  of  Garretstown,  where  every  attention  was  paid 
them.  Coffins  were  provided  by  Mr.  Purcell,  according  to  the 
orders  of  Mr.  Rochfort,  and  the  bodies  that  were  found,  were 
interred  at  Templetriae  Churchyard,  about  four  miles  from 
Kinsale,  and  one  from  the  fatal  spot.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Evan- 
son  kindly  officiated  on  the  occasion.  On  Tuesday,  I  went  to 
Kinsale  to  note  a  protest,  and  then  first  met  Mr.  Mark,  the 
Consul  for  the  U.  S.,  who  happened  to  be  at  Kinsale  at  that 
time  on  other  business.  He  came  ovrr  and  gave  directions  fot 
clothing  the  sufierersi  who  were  destitute  of  every  thing 


..1 


THX   IHIP   ALBION 


15 


ites 

in 

to 

m- 

;nt 

Ihis 

the 

ir- 

las 

lid 

he 

\re 

im 

n- 

to 


\ 


Uaremitting  exertions  wore  used  daily  fir  the  recovery  of 

he  gooda  and  specie,  but  without  success,  as  none  of  the 

£argo,  and  but  a  small  part  of  the  materials  of  tho  vessel, 

were  saved,  together  with  property  in  specie  to  tho  amount 

of  about  £6,000. 

The  following  is  a  correct  list  of  the  crew  and  passen- 
gers. ...  ":-:i-*^:>;-Ai-  :;;-' 

Crkw.  John  Williams,  captain,  drowned;  Henry  Canimyer»  first  mate, 
laved  ;  Edward  Sirith,  2d  mate,  drowned  ;  William  Hyate,  boatswain, 
saved  ;  Alexander  Adams,  carpenter,  Harman  Nelson,  Harnian  Richard 
■on,  Henry  Whittrell,  William  Trisserly,  James  Wiley,  Robert  Mc  Lellan, 
and  Thomas  Goodman,  drowned  ;  John  Sim?  >n,  John  Richards,  Francis 
Bloom,  and  Ebenezer  Warner,  saved  ;  Samuel  Wilson  and  William  Snow, 
boys,  drowned  ;  William  Dockwood,  drowned,  body  found  and  interred  * 
Hierom  Raymond,  saved  ;  Lloyd  Potter,  Samuel  Fanny,  stewards,  and 
Francis  Isaac,  boy,  blacks,  all  drowned;  Thomas  Hill  and  Adam  Johnson, 
cooks,  blacks,  both  drowned,  bodies  found  and  interred. 

Cabin    Passengers.     W.  Everhart,  Esq.  of  Chester,  Penn,  saved. 
Lieut.   Col.  Augustine  J.  Prevost,  Maj.  William  Gough,  of  the  6Sth  re- 

Siment  ;  Rev.  G.  R.  G.  Hill,  last  from  Jamaica  ;  Nelson  Ross,  of  Troy 
f.  Y. ;  William  H.  Dwight,  of  Boston  ;  Mr.  Beynon,  of  London  ;  Pro- 
fessor Fisher,  of  New  Haven  College;  Mr.  William  Proctor,  of  New  York,' 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hyde  Clark,  Mrs.  Pye  and  Miss  Powell,  of  Canada,  daugh- 
ter of  Judge  Powell,  all  drowned,  (bund  and  interred  ;  Mr.  A.  B.  Con> 
vers,  of  Troy,  N.  Y.,  and  Madame  Gardiner  and  son,  of  Paris,  drowned; 
(Madame  G's  body  was  found  and  interred;)  five  French  gentlemen, 
names  unknown,  (except  Mr.VictorMillicent)  dxoivned,  found  and  interred 

Steerage  Passenqgrs.     Stephen  Chase,  of  Canada,  saved  ;  Mrs 
Mary  Brereton,  and  Mary  Hunt,  drowned,  found  and  interred;  Mr.  Har 
risen,  carpenter,  Mr.  Baldwin,  cotton  spinner,  from  Yorkshire,  £ng.,  ant- 
Dr.  Carver,  a  veterinary  surgeon,  drowned. 

Four  bodies  were  also  found  and  interred  that  coul  J  not  bt 
recognised 

The  following  account  of  the  wreck  of  the  Albion  was  ccz>- 
municated  *.o  the  Editor  of  the  Village  Record,  of  Chcsiei, 
Penn  ,  by  William  Everhart,  Ksq.,  after  his  return  to  the 
United  States.  Mr.  Everhart,  it  will  be  recollected,  wa.s  th<^' 
only  oabin  passenger  who  was  saved,  out  of  twenty  three  per- 
sons. As  his  statement  atfords  some  additional  particulars  of 
the  disaster  that  may  be  interesting,  wr  publish  it  entire. 

Mr  Everhart  says,  that  up  to  the  2 1st  of  April,  the  voyag*; 
had  been  prosperous  and  pleasant  for  the  season,  though  tie 
IhuI  himself  lufiered  much  from  sea-sickness,  and  wis  umosi 


u 


TWt    «W»»    ALBION 


eonstantly  confined  to  his  room.  The  storm  of  the  day  it  was 
supposed,  was  over  ;  they  were  near  to  the  coast,  and  all 
hands  flattered  themselves  that  in  a  short  time  they  should 
reach  their  destined  harbor;  but  about  9  o'clock  in  the  even- 
ing a  heavy  sea  struck  the  ship,  swept  several  seamen  from  th^ 
deck,  carried  away  her  masts,  and  stove  in  her  hatchways,  so 
that  every  wave  which  passed  over  her,  ran  into  the  hold 
without  any  thing  to  stop  it, — the  railings  were  carried  away^ 
and  the  wheel  which  aided  them  to  steer.  In  short,  that  fata/ 
wave  lefl  the  Albion  a  wreck.  She  was  then  about  20  milea 
from  the  shore,  and  Capt.  Williams  steadily  and  coolly  gave 
his  orders;  he  cheered  the  passengers  and  crew  with  the  hope 
that  the  wind  would  shift,  and  before  morning  blow  offshore. 
The  sea  was  very  rough,  and  the  vessel  unmanageable  ;  and 
the  passengers  were  obliged  to  bo  tied  to  the  pumps,  that  they 
might  work  them.  All  who  could  do  no  good  on  deck,  retired 
below,  but  the  water  was  knee  deep  in  the  cabin,  and  the  fur- 
niture floating  about,  rendered  the  situation  dangerous  and 
dreadful. 

All  night  long  the  wind  blew  a  gale,  directly  on  shore,  to- 
wards which  the  Albion  was  drifting,  at  the  rate  of  about  three 
miles  an  hour.  The  complete  hopelessness  of  their  situation 
was  known  to  few  except  Capt.  Williams  The  coast  was 
familiar  to  him  ;  and  he  must  have  seen  in  despair  and  horror 
throughout  the  night,  the  certainty  of  their  fate.  At  length 
the  ocean,  dashing  and  roaring  upon  the  precipice  of  rocks, 
told  them  that  their  hour  was  come.  Capt.  Williams  sum- 
moned all  on  deck,  and  briefly  told  them  that  the  ship  must 
soon  strike  ;  it  was  impossible  to  preserve  her.  Mr.  Ever- 
hart  says,  that  he  was  the  last  that  left  the  cabin.  Professor 
Fisher  was  behind,  but  he  is  confident  that  he  never  came  on 
deck,  but  perished  below.  Some,  particularly  the  females, 
expressed  their  terror  in  wild  shrieks.  Major  Gough,  of  the 
British  army,  remarked,  that  '*  dv.ath,  come  as  he  would,  was 
an  inwelcome  messenger,  but  that  they  must  meet  him  like 
men  "  Very  little  was  said  by  the  others;  the  men  waited  the 
expected  shock  in  silence.  Gen.  Lefebvre  Desnouetts,  dur- 
ing the  voyage  had  evidently  wished  to  remain  without  par- 
ticular observation  ;  and  to  prevent  his  being  known^,  besides 
taking  passage  under  a  feigned  name,  had  suffered  his  beard 
to  grow  during  the  whole  voyage.  He  had  the  misfortune, 
before  the  ship  struck,  to  be  much  bruised,  and  one  of  bis 
arms  was  broken,  which  disabled  him  from  'xcrtion  if  it  cc  i!d 
tMV  been  availing     It  is  not  possible  to  ooirceivc  Ibe  hor 


r'^ 


nU   tHir   ALBION 


19 


.ver- 

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le  on 

[ales, 

the 

was 

like 

the 

Idur- 

par- 

lidcs 

5ard 

me, 

bis 

i!d 


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ip 


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f 


( 


K}n  01  their  situation.  The  deadly  and  relentless  blast  im" 
pellin^  them  to  destruction  ;  the  ship  a  wreck  ;  the  ragins  of 
the  biflcws  against  the  precipice,  on  which  they  were  driving, 
sending  back  from  the  caverns  and  the  rocks,  the  h<  arse  and 
melancholy  warnings  of  death,  dark,  cold  and  wet  !  In  such 
a  situation  the  stoutest  heart  must  have  quaked  in  utter  de- 
spair. When  there  is  a  ray  of  hope,  there  may  be  a  corres- 
ponding buoyance  of  spirit.  When  there  is  any  thing  to  be 
cicne,  the  active  rjan  may  drown  the  sense  of  danger  while 
actively  exerting  himself:  but  here  there  was  nothing  to  do 
but  to  die  '     Just  at  the  grey  of  dawn  the  Albion  struck. 

The  perpendicular  precipice  of  rocks  is  nearly  two  hun- 
dred feet  in  height  ;  the  sea  beating  for  ages  against  it  has 
worn  large  caverns  in  its  base,  into  which  the  waves  rushed 
violently,  sending  back  a  deep  and  hollow  sound,  then  run- 
ning out  in  various  directions,  formed  whirlpools  of  great  vio- 
lence. For  a  perch  or  two  from  the  precipice,  rocke  rise  out 
of  the  water,  broad  at  bottom  and  sharp  at  top  ;  on  one  of 
these  the  Albion  first  struck,  the  next  wave  threw  her  further 
on  the  rock,  the  third  further  still,  uDtil  nearly  balanced,  she 
swung  round,  and  her  stern  was  driven  against  another,  near 
in  shore.  In  this  situation,  every  wave  making  a  complete 
breach  over  her,  many  were  drowned  on  deck.  A  woman, 
Mr.  £verhart  could  not  distinguish  who,  fell  near  him  and 
cried  for  help.  He  left  his  hold  and  raised  her  up, — another 
wave  came,  but  she  was  too  far  exhausted  to  sustain  herself, 
and  sunk  on  the  deck.  Fifteen  or  sixteen  corpses,  at  one 
time,  Mr.  Everhart  thought,  lay  near  the  bows  of  the  ship. 

Perceiving  now  that  the  stern  was  higher  out  of  water,  and 
the  sea  had  less  power  in  its  sweep  over  it,  Mr.  Everhart 
went  aft.  He  now  perceived  that  the  bottom  had  been  broken 
out  of  the  ship.  The  heavy  articles  must  have  sunk,  and  the 
cotton  and  lighter  articles  were  floating  around,  dashed  by 
every  wave  against  the  rocks.  Presently  the  ship  broke  in 
two,  aad  all  those  who  remained  near  the  bow  were  lost. 
Several  froni  the  stern  of  the  ship  had  got  on  the  side  o**  tho 
precipice,  and  were  hanging  by  the  ciags  as  well  as  they 
could.  Although  weakened  by  previous  sickness  and  pre- 
sent suffering,  Mr.  Everhart  made  an  effort  and  got  upon  the 
rock  and  stood  upon  one  foot,  the  only  hold  that  he  could  ob- 
tain. He  saw  several  around  him,  and  among  the  rest.  Col. 
Prevost,  who  observed,  on  seeing  him  take  his  station,  '*  here 
IS   another  poor  fellow."      But  the   '   .,  '^   heavily 


•gainst  them,  and  often  dashing  t^ie  spr^^^  1 , 


^re  theii 


10 


TBI  aflir  Looxir. 


headi^  graduallj  swept  t^io^e  who  had  taken  refuge  ore  bj 
one  away;  and  one  poor  bellow  losing  his  hold,  grasped  the 
leff  of  Mr.  ETerhart,  and  nearly  pulled  him  from  his  place 
Weak  end  sick  as  he  was,  Mr.  Everhurt  stood  several  hours 
on  one  foot  on  a  little  crag,  the  billows  dasiiing  over  him,  and 
he  benumbed  with  cold. 

As  soon  as  it  was  light,  and  the  tide  ebbed  so  as  to  render 
it  possible,  the  people  descended  the  recks  as  far  as  they 
could,  and  dropped  him  a  rope,  wiiich  be  fastened  around  his 
body  and  was  drawn  out  to  a  pUice  of  sall'ly.  Of  twenty 
three  cabin  passengers  ho  alone  es(M|>«Ml  !  Mr.  Kvcrhart 
mentions  numerous  instances  of  ibc  kindne.ss  shewn  by  the 
people  to  the  survivors.  A  sailor  was  drawii  ashore  naked, 
and  one  of  the  peasants,  aithuugb  a  cohi  rain  was  falling,  took 
the  shirt  from  his  own  back,  and  [)ut  a  on  (hat  of  the  suflerer. 
Mr.  Everhart  himself  was  taken  to  the  hospiiahle  mansion  of 
Mr.  James  B.  Gibbens,  where  he  lay  for  several  weeks  ex- 
ceedingly ill,  receiving  the  kindest  attention.  "  They  could 
not  have  treated  me  more  tenderly,"  said  Mr.  Everhart,  "  if 
I  had  been  a  brother." 

The  attentions  paid  the  survivors,  were  in  the  style  of  true 
Irish  hospitality.  Such  disinterested  kindness  exalts  the 
human  character,  and  is  calculated  to  have  not  a  limited  ef- 
fect, but  will  prove  of  national  advantage 

This  terrible  wreck  and  loss  of  lives,  and  on  the  part  of 
Mr.  Everhart,  such  a  miraculous  preservation,  e.xcited  the 

f»ubUc  sensibility  throughout  Europe  and  America.  When  he 
anded  at  Liverpool  it  was  difficult  for  him  to  get  along  the 
streets,  the  people  crowded  around  in  such  numbers  to  see  the 
•nly  passenger  saved  from  the  wreck  of  the  Albion  . 


rJ 


LOSS  OF  THE  SHIP  LOGAN  BY  FIRE 


The  ship  Logan,  Captain  Bunker,  was  struck  by  lightning, 
and  consumed  on  her  passage  from  Sav  ^.nnah  to  l<iverpool,  on 
the  19th  Dec.  1892.  The  following  account  of  this  dreadful 
accident  was  furnished  by  the  Captain 

The  Logan  left  Tybee  on  the  16th  Dec.  with  a  fair  wind 
from  Soutbi  which  continued  blowing  a  heary  gala  from  Wm^ 


TBI   IHIP  LOOAM 


19 


of 
the 

he 
the 
the 


19 


l¥ 


T 


I? 
I' 


ward  nntil  the  19th,  on  which  day,  at  45  minuted  pa^t  one 
o'clock)  P  M.  she  was  struck  by  lightnkig,  which  descended 
the  starboard  pump,  from  thence  it  passed  up  the  ailer  hatch- 
way and  went  off.  It  was  immediately  observed  f.iiat  the  ship 
was  on  fire,  and  the  crew  commenced  breaking  out  c  ton 
from  the  main  hatchway,  for  the  purpose  of  extinguishaig  it. 
In  the  course  of  half  an  hour,  got  into  the  lower  hold,  and  on 
the  starboard  side  of  the  pump  well,  found  the  cotton  on  fire. 
They  commenced  throwing  on  water  and  heaving  the  cotton 
overboard,  firs*  cutting  the  bales  in  pieces.  After  working  in 
this  way  for  some  ime,  and  heaving  overboard  8  or  10  bales, 
it  was  found  that  the  fire  was  raging  between  decks  on  the  lar- 
board side  ;  they  then  left  the  lower  hold,  and  commenced 
breaking  out  between  decks,  and  in  a  short  time  broke  out 
20  or  30  bales  ;  but  the  smoke  became  so  suffocating  as  to 
oblige  the  hands  to  leave  the  hold  and  close  the  hatches. 

It  was  now  night,  and  the  ship  was  under  close  reefed 
topsails  ;  after  all  the  hatches  were  closed  up,  the  upper 
decks  began  to  grow  hot:  with  the  determination,- therefore, 
to  save  the  ship  and  cargo  if  possible,  holes  were  cut  around 
the  pumps  and  capstern,  and  water  poured  down,  which  was 
continued  all  night.  At  daylight  found  that  all  the  upper  deck^ 
from  the  mainmast  to  the  after  hatch,  was  on  fire,  and  i:) 
some  places  the  deck  had  burnt  through.  The  main  hatches 
were  taken  off,  and  about  one  hour  was  spent  in  heaving  down 
watv>r,  when  the  smoke  became  so  dense  that  the  men  could 
stand  it  no  longer.  The  hatches  were  then  closed  for  the 
last  time,  and  they  continued  throwing  water  through  the 
holes  that  were  cut,  the  fire  still  gaining  so  fast  that  no  hope 
was  left  of  saving  the  ship. 

The  long  boat  was  now  ordered  out,  and  60  gallons  of 
water  and  what  provision  could  be  obtained,  put  on  board, 
when  the  officers  and  crew,  16  in  number,  embarked  in  her, 
(beirg  in  lat.  33  N.  long.  66  \V.)  having  saved  nothing  but 
1  chronometer  and  quadrant,  and  what  clothes  they  stood  in. 
The  nearest  land  was  the  Island  of  JBermuaa,  which  bore 
about  S.  E.,  100  miles  distant,  which  they  endeavored  to 
reach,  but  the  wind  blowing  heavy  from  W.  S.  VV.,  could  not 
fetch  it,  but  drifted  to  the  eastward  of  it,  when  they  fortu- 
nately fell  in  with  the  Grand  Turk,  and  were  rescued  from  a 
wacery  grave,  after  having  been  in  the  boat  five  days,  most 
which  time  it  was  blowing  a  gale.  -Capt.  INIadigan  kindly 
took  them  on  board,  and  treated  them  with  every  attentiog 
which  their  distressed  situation  required. 


i 


In 


THB    SHIP    MARGARET 


LOSS  OF  THE  SHIP  MARGARET, 

Of  Saicm,  wrecked  at  sea  on  the  21st  of  May,  1810.  The 
following  account  was  published  by  Capt.  Fairfield,  after  hii 
arrival  at  Marblchead. 

We  sailed  from  JNaples,  homeward  bound,  on  the  10th  of 
April,  with  a  crew,  including  officers,  of  fiftenn  in  number, 
together  with  thirty-one  passengers,  making  forty-six  in  all, 
men  and  boys.  We  passed  through  the  Gut  of  Gibraltar  the 
22d  of  April;  nothing  of  moment  occurred  until  Sunday,  ^Oth 
May,  when  in  lat.  40,  N.,  long.  39,  30,  W.,  having  strong 
breezes  of  wind  at  S.  E.  and  E.  S.  E.  and  rainy  weather;  at 
10  A.  M.  took  in  royals,  top-gallant  studding-sails,  fore  and 
mizzen  top-gallant-sails,  jibs,  staysails,  and  mainsail;  at  me- 
ridan,  wind  and  weather  continued  as  before  mentioned;  at  1 
P.  M.  on  the  21st,  the  foretopmast  studding-sail  haulyarda 
parted,  the  studding-sail  fell  overboard,  (ill  d  with  water,  and 
carried  away  the  studding-sail  boom — we  took  in  lower  stud- 
ding-sail, spanker,  and  mizzen  top-sail,  by  which  time  it  be- 
came squally,  and  we  immediately  clewed  down  fore  and  main 
top-sail,  and  let  fly  the  sheets — the  wind  shifted  in  an  instant 
from  E.  S.  E.  to  S.  W.,  and  although  the  helm  was  hard  to 
weather,  we  could  not  get  the  ship  before  the  wind,  but  was 
instantly  hove  on  her  beam  ends.  Every  person  on  board  the 
ship  being  at  this  time  on  deck,  reached  either  the  bottom  oi 
side  of  the  ship,  and  held  on.  We  secured  an  axe,  and  im 
mediately  cut  away  the  weather  lanyard  of  the  shrouds,  masta 
and  long  boat,  which  being  done  the  ship  righted,  being  full  ot 
water,  her  hatches  off,  chests,  water-casks,  &c.  driftuig 
amongst  the  wreck;  tne  guns,  anchors,  camboose,  and  every 
article  on  deck,  we  hove  overboard  to  lighten  the  ship,  and 
endeavored  to  clear  the  wreck  of  spars,  rigging,  &c  which 
lay  beating  against  her  to  windward;  but  our  efforts  were  in 
vain,  the  starboard  lanyards  of  the  shrouds  being  deep  under 
water,  and  Tast  to  the  ship,  and  the  sea  making  a  continual 
breach  over  her  :  during  this  time  the  long  boat  lay  beating 
among  the  wreck  of  spars,  &c  bottom  up,  the  pinnace  being 
wrecked  entirely  to  pieces  except  her  keel,  and  about  three 
■treaks  of  the  boaids  of  her  bottom,  lay  in  the  same  situation 
as  the  long  boat,  and  the  stern  boat  lying  at  a  small  distance 
from  the  map,  full  of  waier,  with  her  gunwales  torn  off,  butti 


I 


^ 

t 

^ 


A 


J 


HP 


^ 


TBK    SHIP    MAROARIT 


tl 


1 


€> 


^ 


Ds 


gtarted,  and  stern  about  half  stove  in.  Tt  was  with  the  utmost 
difficulty  that  we  bailed  her  out,  and  kept  her  so  far  free  as  to 
enable  us  to  get  a  rope  fast  to  the  long  boat,  by  which  we 
hauled  her  alongside  the  ship,  turned  her  over  and  found  her 
to  be  badly  stove,  her  gunwales  and  stem  broken  entirely  olf, 
her  wood  ends  and  garberd  streak  open,  and  large  holes  in 
her  bottom,  so  that  we  found  it  impossible  to  hail  her  out,  and 
we  were  under  the  necessity  of  upsetting  her  again  in  the  sea, 
with  the  hope  of  being  able  to  stop  a  part  of  the  holes  in  her 
bottom,  which  we  in  part  effected  by  driving  the  butts  togeth- 
er and  by  putting  canvass,  &c.  into  the  largest  holes  in  her 
bottom,  after  which  we  turned  her  over  again,  and  by  con- 
tinual bailing  with  every  bucket,  Sec.  which  we  could  pro- 
cure, we  were  enabled  to  keep  her  from  sinking,  still  keeping 
under  ♦he  lee  of  the  ship.  By  this  time  it  was  about  7  P.  M., 
when  the  boat  being  hauled  near  to  the  ship  for  the  purpose 
of  getting  canvass  and  oakum  to  stop  the  leak,  as  many  m'^n 
as  could  reach  the  long-boat  jumped  into  her,  and  finding  the 
boat  would  be  again  sunk  if  We  remained  so  near  the  ship,  we 
werv  obliged  to  veer  the  boat  to  leeward  of  the  ship  at  the  dis- 
tance of  15  or  20  fathoms,  being  twelve  in  number  in  the  boat; 
we  had  not  been  in  this  situation  but  a  short  time  before  one 
man  jumped  from  the  ship  into  the  sea  and  made  for  the  boat  ; 
we  took  him  in,  but  finding  that  all  on  board  were  determined 
to  pursue  the  same  plan,  we  were  obliged  to  veer  the  boat 
further  off.  We  stated  to  those  on  board  the  ship  our  situa- 
tion which  was  also  evident  to  them,  as  it  required  all  our  ex- 
ertions to  keep  the  boat  from  sinking.  During  the  night  we 
lay  with  a  rope  fast  from  the  ship  to  the  boat,  and  under  her 
lee,  when  the  people  on  board  the  ship  being  exceedingly  anx- 
ious to  get  into  the  boat  (which  had  they  effected  we  should 
all  have  been  inevitably  lost)  kept  hauling  the  boat  towards 
them  ;  we  then  bent  on  another  rope,  and  veered  out  as  they 
hauled  ;  but  finding  they  were  determined  to  sink  the  bout  by 
getting  into  her,  we  were  obliged  (after  stating  repeatedly  to 
them  our  situation)  to  tell  them  that  provided  they  persisted 
m  getting  into  the  boat,  we  should  be  obliged,  though  very 
rciuctantly,  to  cut  the  rope  apd  leave  them  ;  after  which  tHey 
desisted  from  hauling  the  boat  towards  the  ship  At  this  time 
we  were  13  in  number  in  the  long  boat,  and  two  men  in  the 
Btorn-boat  lymg  under  the  lee  of  the  ship,  continually  bailmg 
to  keep  her  from  jinking,  which  augmented  our  number  to 
more  than  could  with  any  degree  of  safety  attempt  to  leave 
the  ship,  in  the  long  boat,  in  the  shattero4  condition  she  waff 
tlien  'm> 


THB   SHIP    MARQARtT. 


it> 


Monday  Morning, — moderate  breezes  and  sea  tolerably 
smooth  ;  at  which  time  the  people  on  the  wreck  were  about 
half  of  them  on  the  taflTrel  rail,  and  the  remainder  on  the  bow- 
sprit anri  windlass,  every  other  part  of  her  being  under  water 
continually.  They  kept  entreating  us  to  take  them  into  the 
boat;  we  then  told  them  our  determination  was  to  continue 
by  the  ship  while  she  kept  together,  and  that  the  boat  was  noi 
in  a  situation  to  leave  them  unless  they  attempted  to  come 
into  her,  but  if  anv  of  them  once  made  the  attempt  we  should 
be  under  that  necessity,  notwithstanding  our  wretched  situa- 
tion, having  no  compass,  quadrant,  or  any  instrument,  whatever 
by  which  we  could  direct  our  course,  not  a  single  drop  ot 
fresh  water  in  the  boat,  and  two  men  continually  bailing  ;  all 
of  which  circumstances  were  known  to  them. 

About  this  time,  casks  of  brandy  and  sundry  other  articles 
of  the  cargo  were  drifting  from  the  wreck,  amongst  which  we 
picked  up  the  mizzen  top-gallant  sail,  2  spars,  5  oars,  1  cask 
of  oil,  1  drowned  pig,  and  1  goat,  1  bag  of  bread,  and  they 
hove  us  a  gallon  keg  of  brandy  from  the  ship  ;  we  then  fixed 
a  sail  for  the  boat  from  the  mizzen  top-gallant  sail.  It  being 
now  about  1 1  A.  M.  the  people  on  the  wreck  were  again 
determined  to  get  into  the  boat  and  began  by  jumping  into  the 
sea.  Seeing  their  intention,  we  veered  the  boat  further  from 
the  ship  and  they  again  returned  to  her,  after  which  we  re- 
peated to  them  our  determination  to  continue  by  them  so  long 
as  the  ship  held  t  gether,  but  if  any  other  person  attempted  to 
come  into  the  boat  we  should  that  instant  leave  them,  notwith- 
standing our  desperate  situation.  At  this  time  they  had  se- 
cured on  the  wreck,  2  quadrants,  2  compasses,  1  hhd.  of  water, 
bread,  flour,  and  a  plenty  of  provisions,  as  they  frequently  in- 
formed us,  but  they  would  not  spare  us  any  of  these  article.s 
unless  we  consented  to  come  along  side  the  ship  with  the 
boEt,  which  had  we  done  we  should  have  been  sunk  in  an 
instant,  as  they  were  prepared  to  jump,  having  oars,  chests, 
&c.  ready  for  the  purpose  on  the  taffrel  rail.  JNotwithstand- 
ing  they  knew  our  determination  and  the  impossibility  of  our 
taking  them  into  the  boat,  they  still  persisted  in  trying  to  get 
into  her,  and  one  of  them  jumped  into  the  sea  and  made  for  the 
nmall  boat,  which  lay  veered  to  the  leeward  of  the  ship,  which 
he  renched,  but  finding  we  would  not  take  him  into  the  long- 
boat, he  ret^jrned  to  the  ship  with  the  small  boat.  As  thev 
were  now  all  determined  to  pursue  the  same  plan,  we  were 
under  the  painful  necessity  of  cutting  the  rope  by  which  we 
were  fast  to  the  ship,  and  row  and  sail  from  them  for  the  pre* 


1 


H 


i 


i 


1 


TBB  SBIP  MIBOARST. 


! 


to 


•enratton  of  our  lives,  in  the  hope  of  fulling  in  with  toiiie 
▼essol  to  relieve  us,  which  was  ahiiost  the  ooly  hope  we  had 
left,  being  about  400  miles  distant  from  the  nearest  land,  and 
in  the  desperate  situation  before  stated  At  this  time  it  wns 
about  meridian,  vrith  moderate  wind  frcu  -he  southward  and 
westward;  we  made  our  course  as  neaiiyeast  as  possible,  for 
the  Island  of  Corvo  or  Flores,  and  the  last  we  saw  of  the  ship 
she  was  lying  in  the  same  situation  as  when  we  parted  from 
ner.  We  continued  our  course  to  the  eastward,  having  the 
winds  variable  from  S.  S.  E.  to  N.  W.,  and  two  men  con- 
stantly balling;  steering  in  the  night  by  the  stars,  when  to  be 
seen,  and  in  dark  cloudy  weather,  by  tne  heaving  of  the 
sea,  and  in  the  day  time  by  judging  from  li.e  bearing  of  the 
sun,  when  to  be  seen,  and  when  not,  by  the  best  of  our  judg- 
ment. For  four  days  we  continued  in  this  situation  without 
seeing  any  vessel;  but  on  Saturday,  26th  of  May,  at  1  P.  M. 
t<i  our  great  joy  we  espied  a  sail,  which  proved  to  be  the  brig 
Poacher,  of  Boston,  Gapt.  James  Dunn,  from  Alicant,  who 
took  us  on  board  and  treated  us  with  every  attention  and 
civility. 

As  nothing  was  afterwards  heard  of  the  vessel,  all  that  re- 
mained on  the  wreck,  (thirty-one  in  number,)  undoubtedly 
perished 


r 

It 


iK'^ ; 


^ 


r-  •/ 


",  f 


^''        :»■.. 


i  BURNINC   OF  THE  KENT 

[by  an  eye  witness  1       .''', 

The  Kent,  Capt.  Henry  Cobb,  a  fine  new  ship  of  ottt 
whousand  three  hundred  and  fitly  tons,  bound  to  Bengal  and 
China,  left  the  Downs  on  the  I9lh  of  February,  with  twenty 
officers,  three  hundred  and  forty-four  soldiers,  forty-three 
women,  and  sixty-six  children,  belonging  to  the  thirty-first 
regiment;  with  twenty  private  piissengers,  and  a  crew  (in- 
cluding officers)  of  one  hundred  and  forty-eight  men.  on 
board. 

On  the  night  of  Monday,  the  28th  of  February,  1827,  when 
the  Kent  was  in  lat.  47  degrees  30  minutes,  long.  10  degrees, 
a  violent  gale  blew  from  the  west,  and  gradunlly  increased 
during  the  following  morning.  The  rolling  of  the  vessel  be- 
came tremendous  about  midnight,  so  that  the  best  fastened  ar- 
ticles of  furniture  in  the  principal  cabins  were  dashed  ebout 
with  violence,  and  the  main  chains  were  thrown  at  eyety 
lurch  under  water. 

It  was  a  little  before  this  period,  that  one  of  the  officers  of 
the  ship,  with  the  well-meant  intention  of  ascertaining  that  al 
was  fast  below,  descended  with  two  of  the  sailors  into  the  ho' 
where  they  carried  with  them,  for  safety,  a  light  in  the  p 


^.s^SgK 


'iiWIiHi 


•uBifiNj  or  ru  Kurr 


lantern ;  and  seeing  that  the  lamp  burned  dimly,  the  officei 
took  the  precaution  to  hand  it  up  the  orlop-deck  to  be  trim- 
mod.  Having  afterwards  discovered  one  of  the  spirit  caski 
to  be  adrifl,  he  sent  the  sailors  for  some  billets  of  wood  to  se- 
cure it ;  but  the  ship  in  their  absence  having  made  a  heavy 
urch,  the  officer  unfortunately  dropped  the  light  ;  and  letting 
go  his  hold  of  the  cask  in  his  eagerness  to  recover  the  lantern, 
it  suddenly  stove,  and  the  spirits  communicating  with  the 
lamp,  the  whole  place  was  instantly  in  a  blaze. 

It  so  happened  that  the  author,  went  into  the  cuddy  to  ob- 
serve the  state  of  the  barometer,  when  he  received  from  Capt. 
Spenne,  tk^  captain  of  the  day,  the  alarming  information  that 
the  snip  was  on  fire  in  the  afler  hold. 

As  long  as  the  devouring  element  appeared  to  be  confined 
to  the  spot  where  the  fire  originated,  and  which  we  were  as 
Bured  was  surrounded  on  all  sides  by  water  casks,  we  ventured 
to  cherish  hopes  that  it  might  be  subdued  ;  but  no  sooner  was 
the  light  blue  vapor  that  at  first  arose  succeeded  by  volumes 
of  thick  dingy  smoke,^  which  speedily  ascended  through  all  the 
four  hatchways,  rolling  over  every  part  of  the  ship,  than  al' 
farther  concealment  became  impossible,  and  almost  all  hope 
of  preserving  the  vessel  was  abandoned.  ''The  flames  have 
reached  the  cable  tier,''  was  exclaimed  by  some  individuals, 
and  the  strong  pitchy  smell  that  pervaded  the  deck  confirmed 
the  truth  of  the  exclamation.  * 

In  these  awful  circumstances  Capt.  Cobb,  with  an  ability 
and  decision  of  character  that  seemed  to  increase  with  the  im- 
minence of  the  danger,  resorted  to  the  only  alternative  now  left 
him,  of  ordering  th^  lower  deck  to  be  scuttled,  the  combing  of 
the  hatches  to  be  cut,  and  the  lower  ports  to  be  opened,  for 
the  free  admission  of  the  waves 

These  instructions  were  speediy  executed  by  the  united  ef- 
forts of  the  troops  and  seamen  :  but  not  before  some  of  the 
sick  soldiers,  one  woman,  and  several  children,  unable  to  gain 
the  upper  deck,  had  perished.  On  descending  to  the  gun*- 
deck  with  Colonel  Fearon,  Capt.  Bray,  and  one  or  two  other 
officers  of  the  31st  regiment,  to  assist  in  opening  the  ports,  I 
met,  staggering  towards  the  hatchway,  in  an  exhausted  and 
nearly  senseless  state,  one  of  the  matcg,  who  informed  us  that 
he  had  just  stumbled  over  the  dead  bodies  of  some  individuals 
who  must  have  died  from  suffocation,  to  which  it  was  evident 
that  he  himself  had  almost  fallen  a  victim.  So  dense  and  op- 
pressive was  the  smoke,  that  it  was  with  the  utmost  difficulty 
ire  could  remain  long  enough  below  to  fulfil  Captain  C*.  )ib\ 

VOL    I  ^ 


■USNINa  OF  TBI  KIMT. 


wishei ,  which  were  no  snonor  iiccompliHhed  than  the  sea 
rushed  in  with  extraordinary  ibrcc,  carrying  away  in  its  resist- 
lesB  progress  to  the  hold,  the  largest  chests,  bulk-heads,  Sec. 

On  the  one  hand  stood  death  by  lire,  on  the  other  death  by 
water  :  the  dilemma  was  dreadful.  Preferring  always  the 
more  remote  alternative,  the  unfortunate  crow  were  at  one 
moment  attempting  to  check  the  tire  by  mi^ans  of  water  ;  and 
when  the  water  became  the  most  threatening  enemy,  their  ef- 
forts were  turned  to  the  exclusion  of  the  waves,  and  the  fire 
was  permitted  to  rage  with  all  its  fury. 

The  scene  of  horror  that  now  presented  itself,  baffles  all  de- 
scription. The  upper  deck'was  covered  with  between  six  and 
seven  hundred  human  beings,  many  of  whom,  from  previous 
sea-sickness,  were  forced  on  the  first  alarm  to  flee  from  below 
in  a  state  of  absolute  nakedness,  and  were  now  running  about 
in  quest  of  husbands,  children  or  parents. 

While  some  were  standing  in  silent  resignation,  or  in  stupid 
insensibility  to  their  impending  fate,  others  were  yielding  them- 
selves up  to  the  most  frantic  despair.  Some  on  their  knees 
were  earnestly  imploring,  with  significant  gesticulations  and 
in  noisy  supplications,  the  mercy  of  Him,  whose  arm  they  ex- 
claimed, was  at  length  outstretched  to  smite  them  ;  others 
were  to  be  seen  hastily  crossing  themselves,  and  performing 
the  various  external  acts  required  by  their  peculiar  persuasion, 
while  a  number  of  the  older  and  more  stout-hearted  sailorn 
suddenly  took  their  seats  directly  over  the  magazine,  hoping 
as  they  stated,  that  by  means  of  the  explosion,  which  they 
every  instant  expected,  a  speedier  termination  might  thereby 
be  put  to  their  sufferings. 

Captain  Cobb,  with  great  forethought,  ordered  the  deck  to 
be  scuttled  forward,  with  a  view  to  drav/  the  fire  in  that  direc- 
tion, knowing  that  betwfeen  it  and  the  magazine  were  several 
tiers  of  water  casks  ;  while  he  hoped  that  the  wet  sails.  Sec 
thrown  in  the  afler  hold,  would  prevent  it  from  ccmmunica- 
ting  with  the  spirit-room  abaft. 

Several  of  the  soldiers'  wives  and  children,  who  had  fled  for 
temporary  shelter  into  the  after  cabins  on  the  upper  deck, 
were  engaged  in  praying  and  in  reading  the  scriptures  with 
the  ladies,  some  of  whom  were  enabled  with  wonderful  self- 
possession,  to  offer  to  others  those  spiritual  consolations, 
which  a  firm  and  intelligent  trust  in  the  Redeemer  of  the 
world  apoeared  at  this  awful  hour  to  impart  to  their  ows 
breasts 

All  nope  nad  departed  !  the  employment  of  the  different  in- 
dividuals  indicated  utter  despair  of  rescue— one  was  retaoTiBg 


^,-* 


•ommiio  ur  tub  kknt. 


•  lock  of  hair  from  his  writing  desk  to  his  hosom — otherji  were 
awaiting  theii'  fate  in  stupor — some  with  manly  fortitude — 
othera  bewailing  it  with  loud  und  bitter  lamentation — and  part 
were  occupied  in  prayer  and  mutual  encouragement. 

It  was  at  this  appalling  instant,  when  '^  all  hope  that  we 
should  be  saved  was  taken  away,"  that  it  occurred  to  Mr. 
Thompson,  the  fourth  mate,  to  send  a  man  to  the  foretop, 
rather  with  the  ardent  wish  than  the  expectation,  that  some 
friendly  sail  might  he  discovered  on  the  face  of  the  waters. 
The  sailor,  on  mounting,  threw  his  eyes  round  the  horizon  for 
a  moment — a  moment  of  unutterable  suspense — and  waving 
his  hat,  exclaimed,  *'  A  sail  on  the  lee-bow  !  "  The  joyful 
announcement  was  received  with  deep-felt  thanksgiving,  and 
with  three  cheers  upon  deck.  Our  Hags  of  distress  were  in- 
stantly hoisted,  auJ  our  minutes  guns  fired  :  and  we  endea- 
vored to  bear  down  under  our  three  topsails  and  foresail  upon 
the  stranger,  which  afterwards  proved  to  be  the  Cambria,  a 
small  brig  of  two  hundred  tons  burden,  Gapt.  Cook,  bound  to 
Vera  Cruz,  having  on  board  twenty  or  thirty  Cornish  miners, 
atd'other  agents  of  the  Anglo-IVIexican  company. 

While  Captain  Cobb,  Colonel  Fearon,  and  Maj.  Macgregor 
of  the  31  St  regiment,  were  consulting  together,  as  Ihe  brig  was 
approaching  us,  on  the  necessary  preparations  for  getting  out 
the  boats,  &c.  one  of  the  officers  asked  Major  M.  in  what 
order  it  was  intended  the  officers  should  move  off  ?  to  which 
the  other  replied,  "of course  the  funeral  order  ;"  which  in- 
junction was  instantly  confirmed  by  Colonel  Fearon,  who  said, 
"  Most  undoubtedly  the  juniors  first — but  see  that  any  man  is 
cut  down  who  presumes  to  enter  the  boats  before  the  means 
of  escape  are  presented  to  the  women  and  children." 

Arrangements  having  been  considerately  made  by  Captain 
Cobb  for  placing  in  the  first  boat,  previous  to  letting  it  down, 
tkA  the  ladies,  and  as  many  of  the  soldiers'  wives  as  it  could 
safely  contain,  they  hurriedly  wrapt  themselves  up^  in  what- 
ever ar^'cle  of  clothing  could  be  most  conveniently  found  ;  and 
I  think  about  two,  or  half  past  tM  o  o'clock,  u  most  mournful 
procession  advanced  from  the  after  cabins  to  the  starboard 
cuddy  port,  outside  of  which  the  cutter  was  suspended. 
Scarcely  a  word  was  heard — not  a  scream  was  uttered— even 
the  infants  ceased  to  cry,  as  if  conscious  of  the  unspoken  and 
unspeakable  anguish  that  was  at  this  instant  ending  the  heart! 
of  the  parting  parents-  -  nor  was  the  silenc  i  of  voices  in  any 
way  broken,  except  in  one  or  two  cases,  when  the  ladief 
pUimtiTvlj  entreated  to  be  left  behind  with  their  hutbandt 


ts 


BtJANINO  or   THI   KINt 


*! 


Bui  3a  being  assured  that  every  moment^s  delay  might  occa- 
sion the  sacrifice  of  human  life,  they  successively  suffered 
themselves  to  be  torn  from  the  tender  embrace,  and  with  a 
fortitude  which  never  fails  to  characterize  and  adorn  their  sex 
on  occaL'ons  of  overwhelming  trial,  were  placed,  without  a 
murmur,  in  the  boat,  which  was  immediately  lowered  into  a 
sea  so  tempestuous,  as  to  leave  us  only  *'  to  hope  against 
hope"  that  it  shodid  live  in  it  for  a  single  moment.  Twice 
the  cry  was  heard  from  those  on  the  chains  that  the  boat  was 
swamping.  But  he  who  enabled  the  Apostle  Peter  to  walk 
on  the  face  of  the  deep,  and  was  graciously  attending  to  the 
silent  but  earnest  aspirations  of  those  on  board,  had  decreed 
its  safety 

Afler  one  or  two  unsuccessful  attempts  to  place  the  little 
frail  bark  fairly  upon  the  surface  of  the  water,  the  command 
was  at  length  given  t^y  unhook  ;  the  tackle  at  the  stern  was  in 
consequence,  immediately  cleared  ;  but  the  ropes  at  the  bow 
having  got  foul,  the  sailor  there  found  it  i:npossible  to  obey 
the  order.  In  vain  was  the  axe  applied  to  the  entangl'^d 
tackle.  The  moment  was  mconceivably  critical  ;  as  the  boat, 
which  necessarily  followed  the  motion  of  the  ship,  was  grad- 
ual'/ rising  out  of  the  water,  and  must,  in  another  instant  have 
been  hanging  r.«^irpendicularly  by  the  bow,  and  its  helpless 
passengers  launched  in  the  deep,  had  not  a  most  providen- 
tial wave  suddenly  struck  and  lifted  up  the  stern,  so  as  to  en- 
able the  seaman  to  disengage  the  tackle  ;  and  the  boat  being 
flexterously  cleared  from  the  ship,  was  seen  after  a  little  while, 
battling  with  the  billows  ;  now  raised,  in  its  progress  to  the 
brig,  like  a  speck  on  their  summit,  and  then  disappearing  for 
several  seconds,  as  if  engulphed  "  in  the  horrid  vale"  between 
them  * 

Two  or  three  soldiers,  to  relieve  their  wives  of  a  part  of 
their  families,  sprang  into  the  water  with  their  children,  and 
perished  ip  their  endeavors  to  save  them.  One  young  lady, 
who  had  resolutely  refused  to  quit  her  father,  whose  sense  ot" 
duty  kept  him  at  his  post,  was  near  falling  a  sacrifice  to  hei 
filial  devotion,  not  having  been  picked  up  by  those  in  the 
boats,  until  she  had  sunk  five  or  six  times.  Another  mdivid- 
ual,  who  was  reduced  to  the  frightful  alternative  of  losing  his 
wife,  or  hio  children,  hastily  decided  in  favor  of  his  duty  to  the 
former.  His  wife  was  accordingly  saved,  but  his  four  chil- 
dren, alas  !  were  left  ♦o  persn.  A  fine  fellow,  a  soldier,  who 
h*id  neither  wife  noi  cb^ld  jfhis  own,  but  who  evinced  the 
|t¥fteit  lolicitude  for  t^«  v^/ety  of  those  of  otherf,  insicted  oo 


m 


"^""""PB"*!! 


■<*im 


ITAfrSlfO   or   THE    EKNT 


^ 


d4<iig  three  cuituren  lashed  tc  him,  with  whom  he  plungeH 
into  the  water  ;  not  being  able  to  reach  the  boat,  he  wan  drawn 
again  into  the  ship  with  his  charge,  but  not  before  two  of  the 
children  had  expired.  One  man  fell  <lown  the  hattihway  into 
the  flames,  and  another  had  his  back  so  completely  broken  as 
to  have  been  observed  quite  doubled  i*aliiii«^  overboard.  Tbe 
numerous  spectacles  of  individual  loss  and  suffering  were  not 
confined  to  the  entrance  upon  the  perilous  voyage  between 
the  two  ships.  One  man  who  fell  between  the  boat  and  brig, 
had  his  head  literally  crushed  fine — and  some  others  were  lost 
m  their  attempts  to  ascend  the  sides  of  the  Cambria. 

When  the  greater  part  of  the  men  had  been  disposed  of,  the 
gradual  removal  of  the  officers  commenced,  and  was  marked 
by  a  discipline  the  most  rigid,  and  an  intrepidity  the  most  ex- 
emplary :  none  appearing  to  be  influenced  by  a  vain  and 
ostentatious  bravery,  which  in  cases  of  extreme  peril,  affords 
rather  a  presumptive  proof  of  secret  timidity  than  of  fortitude; 
nor  any  betraying  unmanly  or  unsoldier-like  impatience  to  quit 
the  ship  ;  but  v/ith  the  becoming  deportment  of  men  neither 
paralysed  by,  nor  profanely  insensible  to,  the  accumulating 
dangers  that  encompassed  them,  they  progressively  departed 
in  the  different  boats  with  their  soldiers  ; — they  who  happened 
to  proceed  first  leaving  behind  them  an  example  of  coolnesp 
that  could  not  be  unprofitable  to  those  who  followed 

Every  individual  was  desired  to  tie  a  rope  round  his  waist. 
While  the  people  were  busily  occupied  in  adopting  this  re- 
commendation, I  was  surprised,  I  had  almost  said  amused,  by 
the  singular  delicacy  of  one  of  the  Irish  recruits,  who  in 
searching  for  a  rope  in  one  of  the  cabins,  called  out  to  me 
that  he  could  find  none  except  the  cordage  belonging  to  aL 
officer's  cot,  and  wished  to  know  whether  there  wonld  be  any 
harm  in  his  apj^ropriating  it  to  his  own  use. 

Again  :  As  an  agreeable  proof  too,  of  the  subordination  and 
good  feeling  tnat  governed  the  poor  soldiers  in  the  midbi  of 
their  sufTeringSy  I  ought  to  state  that  toward  the  evening, 
when  the  melancholy  groupe  who  were  passively  seated  on 
the  poop,  exhausted  by  previous  fatigue,  anxiety  and  fasting, 
were  beginning  to  experience  the  pain  of  intolerable  thirst,  a 
box  of  oranges  was  accidentally  discovered  by  some  of  the 
men,  who  with  a  degree  of  mingled  consideration,  respect, 
and  affection,  that  could  hardly  have  been  expected  at  such  ■ 
moment,  refused  to  partake  of  the  grateful  beverage,  untL 
they  had  afforded  a  share  of  it  to  their  officers. 

The  spanker-boom  of  so  large  a  ship  as  the  Kent,  whicifai 
projeetB,  I  should  think,  sixteen  or  eighteen  ftet  ovnr  Um 


90 


BtriUfINO   OF   TBK    KfeNT. 


I  ! 


iterir,  ntlt»  on  ordinary  occasions  about  nineteen  or  twenty 
feet  above  the  water ;  but  in  the  position  in  which  we  were 
placed,  from  the  great  height  of  the  sea,  and  consequent  pitch 
mg  of  the  ship,  it  was  frequently  lifted  to  a  height  of  not  lest 
than  thirty  or  forty  feet  from  the  surface. 

To  reach  the  rope,  therefore,  that  hung  from  its  extremity, 
was  an  operation  that  seemed  to  require  the  aid  of  as  much 
dexterity  of  hand  as  steadiness  of  head.  For  it  was  not  only 
the  nervousness  of  creeping  along  the  boom  itseif,  or  the  ex- 
treme difficulty  of  afterwards  seizing  on  and  sliding  down  by 
the  rope,  that  we  had  to  dread,  and  that  occasioned  the  loss 
of  some  valuable  lives,  by  deterring  the  men  from  adoptmg 
this  mode  of  escape  :  but  as  the  boat,  which  one  moment  wa^ 
probably  under  the  boom,  might  be  carried  the  next,  by  the 
force  of  the  waves,  fifteen  or  twenty  yards  from  it,  the  unhappy 
individual,  whose  bc^st  calculations  were  thus  defeated,  was 
generally  left  swinging  for  some  time  in  mid-air,  if  he  was  not 
repeatedly  plunged  several  feet  under  water,  or  dashed  with 
dangerous  violence  against  the  sides  of  the  returning  boat— 
or,  what  not  unfrequently  happened,  was  forced  to  let  go  his 
hold  of  the  rope  altogether.  As  there  seemed,  however  no 
alternative,  I  did  not  hesitate,  notwithstanding  ray  compara- 
tive inexperience  and  awkwardness  in  such  a  situation,  to 
throw  my  leg  across  the  perilous  stick  ;  and  with  a  heart  ex- 
tremely grateful  that  such  means  of  deliverance,  dangerous 
as  they  appeared,  were  still  extended  to  me  ;  and  more  grate- 
ful still  that  I  had  been  enabled,  in  common  with  others,  to 
discharge  my  honest  duty  to  my  sovereign  and  to  my  fellow- 
soldiers  ;  I  proceeded  after  confidently  committing  my  spirit, 
the  great  object  of  my  solicitude,  into  the  keeping  of  Hiir. 
who  had  formed  and  redeemed  it,  to  creep  slowly  forward, 
feeling  at  every  step  the  increased  difficulty  of  my  situation. 
On  getting  nearly  to  the  end  of  the  boom,  the  young  officer 
whom  I  followed  and  myself  were  met  with  a  squall  of  wind 
and  rain,  so  violent  as  to  make  us  fain  to  embrace  closely  the 
slippery  stick,  without  attempting  for  some  minutes  to  make 
any  progress,  and  to  excite  our  apprehension  that  we  must  re- 
linquish all  hope  of  reaching  the  rope.  But  our  fears  were 
disappointed,  and  after  resting  for  awhile  at  the  boom-end, 
while  my  companion  was  descending  to  the  boat,  which  he 
did  not  find  until  he  had  been  plunged  once  or  twice  over 
head  in  the  water,  I  prepared  to  follow  ;  and  instead  of 
lowering  myself,  as  many  had  imprudently  done  at  the  moment 
when  the  boot  was  inclining  towards  us — and  coneequectl/ 


TBI   SHIP   BOSTON. 


$1 


_  unable  to  descend  the  whole  distance  ^efbre  it  t|iin  re- 
ceded— I  calculated  that  while  the  boat  was  retiring,  i  ought 
to  commence  my  descent,  which  would  probably  be  completed 
by  the  time  the  returning  wave  brought  it  underneath;  by  which 
means  I  was,  I  believe,  almost  the  only  officer  or  soldier  who 
reached  the  boat  without  being  either  severely  bruised  or  im- 
mersed in  the  water  But  my  friend  Colonel  Fearon  had  not 
been  so  fortunate;  for  after  dwimming  for  some  time,  and  be- 
ing repeatedly  struck  against  the  side  of  the  boat,  and  at  one 
time  drawn  completely  under  it,  he  was  at  last  so  utterly  ex- 
hausted, that  he  must  instantly  have  let  go  his  hold  of  the  rope 
and  perished,  had  not  one  in  the  boat  seized  him  by  the  hair 
of  the  head  and  dragged  him  into  it,  almost  senseless  and 
alarmingly  bruised. 

Captain  Cobb,  in  his  immovable  resolution  to  be  the  last, 
if  possible,  to  quit  his  ship,  and  in  his  generous  anxiety  for  the 
preservation  of  every  life  entrusted  to  his  charge,  refused  to 
seek  the  boat,  until  he  again  endeavored  to  urge  onward  the 
few  still  around  him,  who  seemed  struck  dumb  and  powerless 
with  dismay.  But  finding  all  his  entreaties  fruitless  and  hear- 
ing the  guns,  whose  tackle  was  burst  asunder  by  the  advan- 
cing flames,  successively  exploding  in  the  hold,  into  which  they 
had  fallen — ^this  gallant  officer,  after  having  nobly  pursued,  for 
vhe  preservation  of  others,  a  course  of  exertion  that  has  been 
rarely  equalled  either  in  its  duration  or  difficulty,  at  last  felt 
it  right  to  provide  for  his  own  safety,  by  laying  hold  on  the 
topping  lift,  or  rope  that  connects  the  driver-boom  with  the 
mizzen-top,  and  thereby  getting  over  the  heads  of  the  infat- 
uated men  who  occupied  the  boom,  unable  to  go  either  back- 
ward or  forward,  and  ultimately  dropping  himself  into  the 
water 


A.08S  OF  THE  SHIP  BOSTON 

An  unusual  degree  of  sensation  was  excited  in  Boston,  on 
the  first  of  June,  by  the  melancholy  tidings  of  the  loss  of  the 
packet  ship  Boston.  This  strong  and  elegant  ship— one  of 
the  finest  packets  that  belonged  to  this  country — was  struck 
by  lightning  in  the  Gu.f  Stream,  six  days  out  from  Charleston, 


91  m  IHIP  BOITOlf 

and  bornt  to  the  water's  edge     We  present  the  details  below^ 
as  furnished  by  Capt.  Mackay. 

»<  On  Tuesday,  the  25th  of  May,  lat.  39,  31,  long  63,  46, 
commenced  with  fresh  breeze  and  squally  weather — at  2  P.  M 
heavy  rain  which  continued  until  about  sunset — at  8  P.  M 
forked  lightning  in  the  southwest,  and  dark  and  heavy  clouds 
rising  from'the  westward — at  9,  the  wind  hauled  to  the  west* 
ward — at  10  P,  M.  a  heavy  cloud  began  to  rise  in  the  south- 
west— at  half  past  10,  sharp  lightning,  clued  up  the  topgallant 
sails,  and  hauled  the  mainsail  up — at  11,  heavy  thunder  and 
sharp  lightning;  the  second  flash  struck  the  ship,  burst  the 
main-royal  from  the  gaskets  and  burnt  it;  knocked  down  the 
steward  and  Isaac  Hopking  a  sailor,  atid  filled  the  ship  full  of 
electric  fluid.  We  examined  the  ship  immediately  to  ascer- 
tain if  the  masts  were  injured,  or  the  lightning  had  passed 
through  the  deck  ;  but  the  mast  appeared  uninjured,  a  bright 
complaisance  resting  on  each  royal-mast  head.  We  single 
reefed  the  maintop-sail^  and  were  ;ibout  to  hand  the  mainsail, 
when  we  ascertained  that  the  ship  was  on  fire .  We  immedi- 
ately cleared  the  main  and  after  hatchways,  to  get  at  the  fire, 
heaving  the  cotton  overboard  and  cutting  holes  in  the  deck, 
plying  water  in  every  direction — but  all  in  vain;  the  cotton  in 
the  main  hold  was  on  fire,  fore  and  aft,  on  both  sides,  burning 
like  tinder.  Our  only  alternative  was  to  clear  away  the  boats 
and  get  them  out,  part  of  the  crew  and  passengers  at  work 
keeping  the  fire  down  as  much  as  possible  by  drawing  and 
heaving  water,  the  scuppers  being  stopped  up  ;  we  stove 
water  casks  over  holes  cut  in  the  deck  and  in  the  main 
hatchway  ;  starting  the  water,  but  all  to  no  good  purpose,  for 
before  we  could  get  the  long  boat  over  the  ship's  side  the  fire 
had  burst  throu^  the  deck  and  out  the  larboard  side  of  the 
ship.  The  flames  raged  with  such  violence  and  consumed  the 
vessel  so  quick,  that  nothing  could  be  saved  from  the  wreck. 
We  got  about  forty  gallons  of  water  and  provisions  sufllcient, 
on  a  short  allowance,  to  keep  the  passengers  and  crew  alive 
for  three  weeks — almost  every  thing  else  was  burnt  up  in  the 
■hip,  even  the  money,  watches,  and  clothes — all  destroyed 
At  3,  A.  M .  the  main  and  mizzen  masts  were  burnt  oflT  below 
deck,  and  the  masts  fell  in  the  water;  at  half  past  3,  the  pas- 
sengern  and  crew  were  all  in  the  boats  ;  the  flames  had  then 
reacheo  the  forecastle,  and  the  ship  was  one  complete  flame 
of  fire,  fore  and  aft.  The  passengers  had  exerted  themselvei 
to  the  utmost  to  assist  us.  The  oflUcers  had  with  unwearied 
exertion,  coolness  and  persevering  activity  done  all  that 


SHIF  BOSTON 


tmM  do  The  ship^s  crew  worked  like  horses  and  behaved 
like  men  ;  but  all  would  not  do.  About  three  hours  time 
had  changed  one  of  the  best  ships  that  ever  swam  to  a  com- 
plete volcano  and  cast  twenty-three  persons  adrifl  on  the 
open  ocean. 

The  cabin  passengers  were  Admiral  Sir  Isaac  Coffin  and 
servant,  Dr.  William  Boag,  and  his  sister  Miss  Ansella  Boag, 
Mr.  Neil  McNeil,  and  Mr.  Samuel  S.  Osgood.  It  was  then 
rainingj  and  every  person  was  drenched  through  with  water; 
in  this  situation  the  constitution  of  Miss  Boag,  the  only  lady 
passenger,  soon  gave  way.  This  amiable  young  lady's  firm- 
ness of  conduct  at  the  first  alarm  of  fire,  and  during  the  whole 
scene,  is  worthy  of  the  highest  praise.  To  the  divine  will  of 
her  God  she  submitted  without  a  murmur,  and  at  1 1  o'clock  on 
Wednesday,  she  died  in  the  arms  of  her  brother,  in  the  boat, 
thanking  him  in  the  most  afiectionate  manner  for  his  kindness, 
giving  her  blessing  to  us  all.  On  the  following  day  she  was 
buried  with  the  church  service,  our  situation  not  admitting  of 
the  corpse  being  kept  longer  in  the  boat.  We  remained  in. 
the  boats  near  the  fire  of  the  wreck,  two  days,  and  at  three 
o'clock  P.  M.  on  Thursday,  were  taken  on  board  the  brig 
Idas,  of  Liverpool,  N  S.  from  Demarara,  bound  to  Halifax, 
Capt.  Joseph  Barnaby,  who  with  his  officers  and  crew  treat- 
ed us  with  every  kindness  and  attention.  We  remained  on 
board  the  brig  two  days,  when  Sunday  morning,  May  30th, 
falling  m  with  the  brig  Camilla,  Capt.  Robert  B.  Edes,  he 
was  good  enough  to  offer  us  a  passage  to  Boston,  and  receiv- 
ed us  on  board  his  vessel." 

Admiral  Sir  Isaac  Coffin,  afiier  landing  from  the  brig  Cam- 
illa, authorized  his  agent  to  present  Capt.  Mackay  with  a 
check  for  five  hundred  dollars;  and  subsequently  sent  bin  an 
elegant  gold  watch,  to  replace  one  which  he  had  lost  by  tb« 
ileatruction  of  the  ship. 


•% 


f 


:■  r 


TBB  WBALB   SHtr  tttUL 


;.. 


1 '       r 


LOSS  OF  THE  WHALE  SHIP  ESSEX 

This  vessel  sailed  from  Nantucket  on  a  Whaling  voyage, 
cominancled  by  Capt.  Pollard.  On  the  13th  of  November, 
1820,  they  were  among  the  whales,  and  the  three  boats  were 
lowered  down.  They  succeeded  in  capturing  a  young  whale, 
but  the  mate's  boat  got  stove,  and  returned  to  the  ship  to  be 
repaired.  Shortly  after  a  whale  of  the  largest  class,  probably 
the  dam  of  the  one  they  had  just  taken,  struck  the  ship,  knock- 
ed part  of  the  false  keel  off,  just  abreast  of  the  main  channels 

The  animal  then  remained  for  some  time  along  side,  endea- 
voring to  clasp  the  ship  within  her  jaws,  but  could  not  accom- 
plish it.  She  then  turned,  went  round  the  stern,  and  cadie 
up  on  the  other  side  ;  and  went  away  ahead  about  quarter  of 
a  mile.  Then  suddenly  turning,  she  came  at  the  ship  with  tre- 
mendous velocity,  head  on.  The  vessel  was  going  at  the  rate 
of  five  knots,  but  such  was  the  force  with  which  she  struck  the 
ship,  which  was  under  the  cat-head,  that  the  vessel  had  stern 
way,  at  the  rate  of  three  or  four  knots.  The  consequence 
viras,  tha^  .3  sea  rushed  into  the  cabin  windows,  every  man 
on  deck  was  knocked  down,  and  worse  than  all,  the  bows 
were  completely  stove  in.  In  a  few  minutes,  the  TMsel  filM 
uid  went  on  her  beam  ends. 


^- -J 


g  voyage, 
Vovember, 
oaifl  were 
ng  whale, 
ship  to  be 
probably 
p,  knock- 
channels 
endea'" 
>t  accom* 
ind  caJie 
luarter  of 
with  tre- 
U  the  rate 
truck  the 
lad  stern 
lequence 
rery  man 
Ihe  bowi 


tn  WIALB  fHIP  IMIX  if 

At  this  unhappy  juncture,  the  captain  and  second  mato 
were  both  fast  to  a  whale  j  but  on  beholding  the  u  vful  catas- 
trophe that  had  taken  place,  immediately  cut  from  the  fish  and 
made  for  the  ship.  As  soon  au  the  captain  got  on  board  he 
gave  orders  for  cutting  away  the  masts,  which  was  accord' 
ingly  done,  and  the  vessel  righted; — the  upper  deck  was  then 
scuttled,  and  some  water  and  bread  were  procured  for  the  two 
boats,  in  which  they  were  compelled  to  remain  as  ail  thoughts 
of  saving  the  ship  were  given  up.  In  expectation  of  falling  in 
with  some  vessel,  they  remained  by  the  wreck,  making  sails, 
&c.,  but  were  finally  compelled  to  abandon  it,  and  stood  away 
to  the  southward,  in  hopes  of  getting  the  variable  winds,  and 
experiencing  fine  weather  ;  but  the  wind  being  constantly  from 
the  east  and  southeast,  they  made  much  iee-way  and  were 
prevented  from  keeping  to  the  southward.  They  continued 
beating  about  in  this  way  for  thirty  days,  when  they  made  an 
island,  which  they  took  for  Ducie's  Island,  at  which  place  the 
boats  remained  one  week;  but  the  island  affording  hardly  any 
nourishment,  and  in  fact,  exhibiting  nothing  but  sterility,  they 
resolved  on  venturing  for  the  coast  ;  leaving  behind  them 
three  men  who  preferred  remaining  there,  rather  than  to  ven- 
ture across  the  ocean  in  an  open  boat. 

Afler  a  stries  of  disasters,  a  part  of  the  crew  finally  reach- 
ed Valparaiso.  Capt.  Downes,  of  the  U.  S.  frigate  Mace- 
donian, on  becoming  acquainted  with  the  particulars,  resolved 
to  rescue  the  three  unfortunate  men,  who  were  left  behind  on 
the  island.  Accordingly  he  fitted  out  a  schooner,  at  an  ex- 
pense of  a  thousand  dollars,  and  sent  her  in  search  for  them, 
She  was  out,  however,  but  one  month,  and  returned  dismasted. 
The  ship  Surrey,  Capt.  Raine,  lying  at  Valparaiso,  was  on  the 
eve  of  sailing  for  New  Holland,  and  as  Ducie's  Island  was  not 
mr  from  her  track,  Capt.  Downes  offered  her  commander  three 
hundred  dollars,  to  call  there  and  take  ofl'the  rnen. 

On  Thursday,  the  5th  of  April,  Capt.  Raine,  considering 
iiimself  within  a  short  distance  of  Ducie's  island,  which  is  laid 
down  in  Norie's  Epitome  to  be  in  lat.  24  degrees  40  minutes 
S.  and  long.  {'-24  deg.  17  minutes  W.,  kept  a  good  look  out. 
About  2,  P.  M.  land  was  perceived,  which  turned  out  to  be 
an  island  in  lat.  24  deg.  26  minutes.  As  the  vessel  neared 
the  land,  they  discharged  a  gun,  and  shortly  afler  the  three 
poor  men  were  seen  to  issue  from  the  woods.  The  boats 
were  presently  lowered,  Capt.  Raine  taking  one  himself.  On 
approaching  the  shore  it  was  found  not  only  dangerous,  but 
utterly  impractlcsble  to  land  ;   of  which  cirBunuttance  they 


.1 


■J' nnimiiwiiiimii. 


• 


9f  WBSOK  OF  THE  ISABBLLA. 

were  infonned,  in  weak  and  tremulous  voieet,  by  the  thnoit 
•tarved  and  nearly  worn  out  creatures  thenvtolves,  who  could 
scarcely,  from  the  miserable  plight  they  were  in,  articulate  a 
syllable.  One  poor  fellow  suaunoned  up  courage  enough  to 
plunge  into  the  waves,  and  with  great  difficulty  reached  the 
boat :  he  said,  one  of  the  others  only  could  swim. 

Ailer  warily  hacking  the  boat  as  near  the  rocks  as  possible, 
amidst  a  heavy  surf,  the  other  two  men  succeeded  in  getting 
on  board,  much  bruised  and  lacerated  by  the  repeated  falls , 
which  object  was  no  sooner  effected,  when  each  devoutly  ex- 
pressed his  gratitude  to  that  benign  Being  who  had  so  won- 
derfully preserved  them  from  sharing  in  the  destruction  to 
which  most  of  their  unhappy  shipmates  had  fallen  victims. 
They  had  been  on  the  island  four  months,  living  on  wild 
berries,  resembling  a  cherry,  sometimes  killing  a  sea-gull  by 
throwing  stones,  and  no  fresh  water  but  when  it  rained,  which 
was  very  seldom.  On  the  island  they  discovered  the  name  of 
the  ship  Elizabeth,  of  London,  carved  on  a  tree,  and  a  cav«, 
with  eight  human  skeletons,  lying  together  .  ^ 


NARRATIVF 


■■s. 


or  THB  WRECK  OF  THB  ISABELLA,  Orr  HABTINOi,  ENO 

The  details  below  were  furnished  by  one  of  the  passenger*, 
in  a  letter  to  a  friend,  dated 

Eastbourne,  March  15,  1833 

This  wreck  is  still  visible ;  she  was  a  fine  ship  of  340  tons, 
and  offers  an  awful  evidence  of  the  power  of  nature  over  the 
noblest  works  of  art.  My  heart  still  sickens  with  dismay  at 
the  recollection  of  the  dreadful  trials  I  have  passed  through. 
I  have  not  before  had  health  and  strength  enough  to  give  you 
an  outline  of  the  particulars,  and  even  now  I  tremble  as  they 
pass  in  review  before  me. 

All  our  v&iuable  furniture,  plate,  books,  manuscripts,  outfit 
and  necessaries  had  been  put  on  board  the  Isabeili  in  th« 
docks,  when  she  dropped  down  to  Gravr^M^kJ  where  I  joined 
W  09  t|t«  •▼•ning  of  Saturday  tb«     -^  \   v  ttarv  willi  bsv 


in^tmmmmmm 


WKIOK   or   THE    ISABELLA 


91 


(en, 

)3 
[tons, 

the 
ly  at 
^ugh. 

you 
[they 

>utfit 
th« 


wife  and  three  children,  n  girl  of  18  innnths,  and  two  boyM  of 
four  and  six  years.  VVc  wexe  opposed  by  contrary  winds,  and 
put  our  pilot  on  hIioio  on  IMonJav  cvcmrifj.  On  Tuesday  the 
wind  freshened  into  a  gule^  and  tlio  dreadful  enervating  sick 
ness  usually  attending  thr  se  scenes  dispossessed  my  wife  and 
myself  of  all  energy  anu  strength.  The  wind  was  now  di- 
rectly against  us,  and  every  hour  increasing  its  fearful  power  ; 
but  our  captain,  full  of  intrepidity  and  confidence,  dotormined 
to  proceed,  although  he  lell  behind  a  fleet  of  perhaps  an  hun- 
dred sail.  As  night  closed  the  tempest  raged  yet  more  fear- 
fully. Our  gallant  ship  was  but  aa  a  feather  on  the  wave's 
surface,  and  all  was  fearfully  dark  as  any  night  in  the  black 
catalogue  of  tempests  ;  the  wind  right  ahead;  there  was  equal 
peril  now  in  advancing  or  receding  ;  the  captain,  however, 
gave  his  orders  with  as  much  precision  as  if  lie  were  exhibit- 
ing in  a  state  pageant.  The  loud  voice  of  the  speaking  trum- 
pet was  the  only  sound  that  could  be  heard  amid  the  wild  roar 
of  contending  elements.  Between  3  and  4  o'clock,  our  cap- 
tain entered  the  cabin:  he  spoke  little.  I  sa'V  the  distressed 
workings  of  his  mind,  and  one  or  two  questions  constituted  all 
the  interruptions  I  offered.  He  took  brandy  and  water,  threw 
off  his  saturated  dress,  and  having  sat  a  little  in  dry  clothes, 
retired. 

From  this  time  the  ship  seemed  to  me  to  labour  and  strain 
more  than  before,  and  the  hurricane  to  drive  and  lay  down  the 
ship  lower  on  her  side  ;  but  as  the  captain  was  taking  rest,  I 
had  fancied  more  secu-ity,  and  had  lain  myself  on  the  floor  of 
the  cabin  in  the  hope  of  getting  also  some  repose.  I  had  been 
lying  down  I  suppose  30  minutes,  when  I  thought  I  heard  or  felt 
the  keel  of  the  ship  drag.  1  had  been  to  this  time  sick  to  death. 
I  was  exhausted  and  listles.s,  almost  lifeless,  when  the  dread- 
ful suspicion  and  announcement  of  "  shore"  alarmed  me  ;  I 
was  ill  no  more.  I  jumped  up  and  was  rushing  through  the 
cabin  to  mention  my  fears,  when  the  ship  beat  twice  on  a 
rock,  and  1  heard  the  cry  of  "  The  ship  has  struck  !"  I  call- 
ed the  captain.  The  dreadful  shock  and  loud  cries  of  alarm 
combined  to  summon  all  on  deck,  excepting  the  ladies  and  the 
poor  children,  who  had  been  roused  at  last  by  the  general 
crash,  and  these  I  would  not  allow  to  leave  their  berths  lest 
they  might  interrupt  the  exertions  making  above.  Here,  in- 
deed, was  redoubled  energy.  The  rudder  was  unshipped 
when  we  first  struck,  and  was  abandoned.  Now  was  the  loud 
cry  for  the  speaking-trumpet, — now  for  the  axes,  which  for  a 
time  cuuld  not  be  found.     I  asked  if  there  were  no  guiui  1m 


HP"!'" 


WRICK   OV   ran    iSABlLLA 


firr  iiignals  of  distresii  ?  No  guns.  Xo  rockets  to  let  ofT  t« 
acquaint  the  coast  guard  with  our  condition  ?  No  rocketn 
It  WU8  manifest  our  captain  hud  been,  us  Napoleon  said  ot 
Masscna,  a  spoiled  child  of  fortune  !  Always  happy  and  suc- 
cessful in  his  adventures,  his  voyages  deservedly  fortunate, 
had  superseded  all  contemplation  of  disater  Every  effort  wat 
now  made,  by  mancBUvring  the  sails,  to  force  the  ship  once 
more  to  sea^  and  made  in  vain — we  wore  constrained  to  wait 
until  day-light  enabled  us  to  appreciate  our  real  situation, 
-and  procure  for  us  from  the  shore  the  necessary  assistance 

Ii  is  difficult  to  judge  of  distance  on  water,  but  I  believe 
we  lay  nearly  half  a  mile  from  the  beach.  Every  succeeding 
wave  raised  the  ship  several  feet,  and  subsiding,  we  beat  with 
tremendous  violence  on  the  rock.  An  immense  quantity  of 
bricks  had  been  shipped  in  lieu  of  ballast;  between  these  and 
the  rock,  the  sWip's  bottom  might  represent  the  metal  works 
between  the  anvil  and  the  hammer,  and  strraige  it  would  have 
been  had  it  not  severely  suffered.  Every  wave  was  a  fearful 
mountain,  while  the  hurricane  momentarily  threatened  to 
shiver  us  into  atoms.  Such  a  storm  has  not  been  felt  on  these 
shores  during  the  laat  filly  years.  As  the  ungovcrned  state 
of  the  rudder  was  now  breaking  up  all  within  its  range,  the 
binnacles  were  removed  below  for  security,  and  the  rudder 
lashed  to  the  boom  ;  but  the  cords  were  soon  rent  asunder  like 
threads.  After  lying  in  this  situation  for  nearly  two  hours, 
sometimes  fancying  we  saw  boats  approaching  to  our  assist- 
ance and  sometimes  that  we  saw  lights  as  signals,  the  dawn  at 
length  assured  us  we  were  descried  from  the  shore,  where  we 
saw  a  general  activity  corresponding  to  the  peril  of  our  un- 
happy condition,  Not  a  boat  could,  however,  venture  to  put 
out  through  the  frightful  surf,  and  I  own  I  felt  little  hopes  ot 
relief  while  the  elements  continued  their  frightful  ravages. 
The  shore  was  now  lined  with  spectators,  but  their  sympathy 
could  avail  us  nothing.  While  this  was  our  condition  with- 
out, within  the  ship,  all  was  devastation.  At  each  new  con- 
cussion something  was  strained  and  gave  way.  Bedsteads, 
lamps,  tables  and  trunks  were  hurled  from  side  to  side  with 
frightlil  noise,  which  made  the  fe.nales  believe,  in  spite  of  our 
assurances,  the  ship  was  breaking  up.  But  now  beamed  sud- 
denly forth  in  our  extremity,  the  dawn  of  our  deliverance.  We 
had  watched  a  team  laboring  along  the  beach  conveying  to 
windward  a  bnat  Tt  u^i^  launched,  and  in  the  same  moment 
manned.  .^'^^:',       -like  life-boat,  equipped  with  the  most 

jntrepid  civ*;;  ^1s>t  v.  -  *    jserved  their  country's  gratitude.     In 
half  tn  hour  «4'  ugKi»i|iibmiied  struggles  they  were  Alongside,  wai 


^m 


WRtOk  OF   THI    ISABILLA. 


ooarded  us ;  and  now,  indeed,  I  saw  countrnances  where  the 
glad  gleam  of  joy  endeavored  to  penetrate  through  a  mass  of 
suffering  and  despair;  but  we  had  scarcely  interchanged  con* 
gratulations  when  I  was  told  the  boat  had  letl  the  ship.  I 
could  not  believe  it.  I  ran  nloft  and  found  it  true.  (  felt  I 
had  now  a  duty  to  perform  ti>  my  family,  and  I  asked  the  cap- 
tain if  the  boat  were  dismissed,  what  could  be  his  plan  ?  I  rd 
presented  that  as  our  rudd<'r  was  useless  he  could  have  nc 
command  of  the  sitip  i^'sho  tioatod  with  the  coming  Hood,  anf 
if  her  bottom  was  pierced,  of  which  there  cotild  be  no  doubt, 
we  must  expect  that  if  she  dipped  into  deep  water  she  would 
fill  and  go  down,  and  all  would  inevitably  perish — that  it 
would  be  impossible  in  her  present  crippled  state,  to  work  her 
into  any  port,  and  I  submitted,  therefore,  that  our  safety 
should  be  consulted  above  all  things.  Our  captain  tirmly  an- 
swered, our  safety  was  his  principal  duty  and  first  care;  thai 
1  might  rely  on  his  word  that  he  would  not  hazard  our  lives; 
and  that  if  the  ship  was  not  in  a  condition  to  leave  the  shore, 
he  would  not  attempt  it.  I  own  I  returned  to  my  family  with 
a  heavy  heart  to  announce  the  fearful  experiment. 

The  flood-tide  was  rolling  in,  and  the  trumpet  of  our  vigi- 
lant captain  was  again  in  full  activity.  Afler  many  mighty 
workings,  an  awful  blast  drove  us  over  the  reef,  and  hurried 
us  to  sea.  Hope  beamed  again,  but  it  was  found  that  the  ship 
had  made  5  feet  of  water  in  10  minutes.  The  signal  of  dis- 
tress was  hoisted,  and  every  possible  effort  made  to  put  the 
ship's  head  to  the  shore,  but  without  the  assistance  of  her 
rudder  she  was  wholly  unmanageable,  and  very  soon  became 
waterrlogged.  I  now  caught  the  captain's  eye;  he  motioned 
me,  and  gave  the  dreadful  intelligence  that  the  ship  was  sink 
ing,  and  I  must  prepare  my  wife  and  children  for  any  event  ! 
1  asked  how  long  it  might  be  before  she  would  go  down  ? 
He  said,  "some  time  yet."  Without  making  any  com 
munication,  I  conveyed  my  family  on  deck,  and  watched  tiie 
pro  ress  the  ship  visibly  made  in  sinking.  Efforts  were  again 
madfe  to  put  the  ship  about  but  they  were  fruitless. 

Happily  for  our  safety,  the  life  boat,  better  acquainted  with 
the  distressing  features  of  disaster,  had  kept  hovering  around 
[  had  grieved  at  its  dismissal  but  now  suddenly  heard  it  hail- 
ing the  captain  to  let  go  the  remaming  anchor. — After  drag- 
ging a  little,  it  held  on,  and  threw  hei  stern  round  ;  but  the 
ship  was  water-logged  and  made  little  progress.  She  wa« 
now  BO  low  that  every  wave  rolled  in  one  side  and  discharged 
itself  on  the  other.  We  had  thrown  out  a  line  to  the  bufxt, 
but  it  had  quickly  snapped,  and  we  threw  others,  in  the  hope 


WftBCE    or    THt    l«41tLLA. 


of  keeping  them  at  a  short  di^itance.  An  it  appeared  we  m«al 
in  a  few  aeconds  go  down,  1  waa  preparing  cords  for  the  aafetj 
of  my  family,  when  a  squall,  a  hundred  times  more  frightful 
than  mny  that  had  yet  assailed  ul',  gave  hopes,  and  the  crew 
cried  out,  ^'Now— now  the  masts  must  go/*  But  still  they  stood 
to  our  great  danger  and  annoyance.  The  ship  had,  howerer, 
felt  the  impulse  received  from  the  last  blast,  and  been  impel- 
led forward; — and  now  a  shock  succeeded  which  gave  the 
glad  auspicious  tidings  of  shore.  The  men  clasped  their 
handa,  and  looked  towards  Heaven  with  emotions  of  gratitude. 
The  last  nearly  overwhelming  gale  had  lifted  us  forward,  and 
proved  our  deliverance;  and  now  the  exertions  of  the  crew  of 
the  boat  were  increased  tenfold,  and  they  were  quickly  under 
our  atern.  Our  intrepid  captain,  lashing  himself  for  security, 
jumped  over  the  ship's  side,  and,  though  overwhelmed  by 
every  wave,  called  aloud  for  the  children  first.  I  had  taken 
them  below,  lest  the  fall  of  the  masts  should  injure  them.  I 
flew  down  and  in  an  instant  my  eldest  son  was  in  the  arms  of 
the  captain.  The  life  boat  was  now  riding  on  the  brink  of  the 
wave,  and  now  was  lost  in  the  abyss;  but  as  she  was  descend- 
ing my  son  was  caught  as  the  captain  loosed  his  arm,  by  a 
ddzen  eager  arms  raised  for  his  safety.  The  second  boy  met 
with  more  facility,  and  the  infant  was  thrown  and  caught, 
when  the  whole  crew,  with  generous  sympathy,  cried  out, 
t*  Now  the  mother."  The  mother  was  soon  with  her  children, 
and  seemed  to  us  protected  by  these  our  worldly  savioura 
from  destruction.  The  other  females  were  then  handed  down, 
with  a  youth  of  14;  and  I  next  followed,  in  agonizing  anxiety 
to  share  with  those  I  felt  dearer  to  me  than  life,  the  yet  re- 
maining perils.  ,  y 

Lifted  sometimes  mountains  high,  sometimes  hidden  (Vom 
all  view  in  the  depths  into  which  we  descended,  we  at  last 
reached  the  shore.  The  people  upon  the  beach  rushed  into 
the  surf  to  receive  us,  and  braved  its  perils  for  our  security 
The  boat  was  soon  lighted,  and  a  cart  iitood  ready  to  convey 
as  to  an  adjoining  house,  where  dry  clothing  was  soon  ex- 
changed for  garments  long  saturated  with  brine.  The  captain 
and  crew  were  left  on  the  wreck  with  one  passenger,  and  two 
lours  elapsed  before  the  boat  could  succeed  in  extricating 
these  from  the  dangers  assailing  them.  For  a  considerable 
period  the  sea  had  been  covered  with  floating  packages,  car- 
lied  by  the  storm  and  tide  many  miles  along  the  beach,  but  at 
nightfall  began  the  active  work  of  plunder,  and  that  which  had 
resisted  other  violence  was  soon  conveyed  away  from  obaei 
ration. 


■tFLOtiON  or  mr.  rutrorf 


two 
ing 


LOSS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  STEAM  FRIGATE 

•''■.;:'•■;,,.;'    FULTON     "/   ^^r^ 

One  of  the  most  destnioiive  explosions  in  the  history  of  this 
country,  took  place  at  the  Navy  Yard  in  I3rooicHnc,  N,  Y.  on 
the  evening  of  the  4th  of  June,  1829,  by  which  accident, 
SEVENTY  FIVE  persons  were  killed  tvnd  twenty  two  wounded. 

The  accident  originated  in  the  carelessness  of  the  gunner, 
a  man  about  sixty  years  of  age,  who  had  but  the  day  before 
received  his  appointment,  and  who  was  blown  up  with  the 
others.  On  descending  to  the  magazine,  it  had  been  usual 
to  place  the  lamp  behind  a  glass  ceiling,  which  effectually  pre- 
vented all  contact  with  the  powder  ;  but  in  this  instance,  the 
precaution,  it  was  supposed,  was  not  taken. 

The  Fulton  had  been  used  as  a  receiving  vessel  ever  since 
the  war,  and  also  as  a  school  for  new  recruits  in  the  service. 
She  was  moored  within  two  hur-dred  yards  of  the  shore.  The 
report  of  the  explosion  was  not  louder  than  that  of  a  common 
cannon,  and  many  supposed  it  originated  from  such  a  source, 
until  they  saw  the  immense  volume  of  smoke  issuing  from  the 
smouldering  ruin.  A  midshipman  who  was  sleeping  on  board 
the  frigate  U .  States,  within  200  yards  of  the  F alton,  was  not 


! 
'I 


^l 


4i  MILETON   or   TUft   WRBCK. 

by  the  accident  A  most  singular  and  promotion-worthy  pre* 
sence  of  mind  was  manifested  by  a  private  soldier,  who  war 
stationed  as  sentinel  upon  the  bridge,  and  though  i'l  .gmenta 
of  dead  bodies,  splinters,  and  timbers  fell  around  him,  in 
showers,  he  continued  to  do  his  duty  as  unconcerned  aB  though 
nothing  had  happened.         .^      ;     .'>  _   ; 

But  two  days  previous  to  the  explosion,  there  were  sixty 
two  men  drafted  from  the  Fulton,  to  form  part  of  the  crew  of 
the  U.  S.  frigate  Constellation,  then  on  the  eve  of  her  depar- 
ture for  a  foreign  station,  and  the  Band,  seventeen  in  number, 
at  the  time  of  the  disaster,  were  on  sliore.       ' 

It  being  ebb  tide,  fragments  of  the  Frigate  floated  down  in 
shoals  in  front  of  the  city  of  iNew  York,  and  hunHreds  of  small 
boats  were  seen  busily  engaged  in  securiug  them.  Sue  was 
made  a  complete  wreck.  Many  of  the  timbers,  although  fou^ 
feet  in  thickness,  and  all  the  other  parts  of  corresponding 
strength,  were  blown  entirely  asuudur,  and  left  her,  dissevered 
of  her  glory,  lying  in  the  place  where  she  was  moored. 

Among  the  number  wounded  was  a  son  of  the  Hon.  Henry 
Eckford,  who  had  been  singularly  unfortunate  in  regard  to  a 
promising  family.  It  was  but  a  short  time  previous  that  an 
accomplished  daughter  fell  a  sacrifice  to  the  flames, — a  son, 
who  traveled  in  Europe  with  Professor  Carter,  died  in  the 
morning  of  life  of  a  consumption  ;  and  another,  by  this  fatal 
accident,  was  most  cruelly  wounded. 


■<'.;f   ,->    /- 


A 


^  ^      SKELElOiN  OF  THE  WRECK 

While  Sir  Michael  Moore  was  m  the  command  of  the  Ame- 
thyst frigate,  anJ  wp.a  cruising  in  the  Bay  of  Biscay,  the  wreck 
of  a  mercliunt  ship  drove  past.  Her  deck  was  jjst  above 
water;  her  lower  masts  alone  standing.  Not  a  soul  coulci  be 
seen  or  board,  but  there  was  a  cambouse  on  deck,  which  had 
the  appearance  of  having  bet  n  recently  patched  with  old  can 
vass  and  turpauling  as  if  to  afiord  shelter  to  some  of  the  crew 
It  blew  at  this  time  a  r^rong  gale  :  but  Sir  Michael,  listeninn 
only  to  the  dictates  of  humanity,  orde^-ed  the  ship  to  be  pii3 


J 


■ 


: 


UULITON   or   THB   WRBCk  41 

about  and  sent  off  a  boat  with  instructiuuri  to  board  the  wreck 
and  ascertain  whether  there  was  any  being  still  surviving 
whom  the  help  of  his  fellow  men  might  save  from  the  grasp  oT 
death.  The  boat  rowed  towards  the  drifting  mass,  and  while 
struggling  with  the  difficulty  of  getting  through  a  high  run- 
ning sea  close  along  side,  the  crrw  shouiing  all  the  time  as 
loud  as  they  could,  an  object,  like  in  appearance  to  a  bundle 
of  Ciothes,  was  observed  to  roll  out  of  the  cambouse  appar- 
ently against  the  lee  shrouds  of  the  mast.  With  the  end  of 
the  boat  hook  they  managed  to  got  hold  of  it,  and  hauled  it 
into  the  boat,  when  it  proved  to  bo  the  trunk  of  a  man  bent 
he&d  and  knees  together,  and  so  wasted  as  scarce  to  be  felt 
within  the  ample  clothes  which  had  once  fitted  it  in  a  state  of 
life  and  strength.  The  boat's  crew  hastened  back  to  the  Ame- 
thyst with  this  miserable  remnant  of  m«;rtality;  and  so  small 
was  it  in  bulk,  that  a  lad  of  fourteen  years  of  age  was  able 
with  his  own  hands,  to  lift  it  into  the  ship.  When  placed  on 
deck,  it  showed  for  the  first  time,  to  the  astonishment  of  all, 
signs  of  returning  life;  it  tried  to  move;  the  next  moment  mut- 
tered in  a  hollow  sepulchral  tone,  "  THiUE  is  another  man." 

The  instant  these  words  were  heard,  Sir  Michael  ordered 
the  boat  to  shove  oft  again  for  the  wrr.ok;  looking  into  the 
cub  house,  they  found  two  other  human  bodies,  wasted,  like 
the  one  they  saved,  to  the  very  bon^is  but  without  the  least 
spark  of  life  remaining.  They  wer  3  sitting  in  a  shrunk  up 
posture,  a  hand  of  one  resting  on  itn  pot,  in  which  there  was 
a  gill  of  water,  and  a  hand  of  the  oiher  reaching  to  the  deck, 
ai  if  to  regdin  a  bit  of  salt  beof.  of  the  size  of  a  walnul,  which 
had  dropped  from  its  nerveless  grasp.  Unfortunate  men  !  tbey 
had  lived  on  thei'*  scanty  »*ore,  till  they  had  not  strength  re- 
maining to  lift  the  last  morse!  to  their  mouths  !  Tlie  boat's 
:jrew  having  completed  iheir  last  melancholy  survey,  returned 
an  board  where  they  found  tbo  attention  of  the  ship's  com- 
pany engrossed  by  their  eiforts  to  preserve  th**  generous  skele- 
von,  who  seemed  to  have  just  life  enough  to  breathe  the  re- 
membrance, that  there  was  still  "  another  man,"  his  companion 
\n  suffering,  to  be  saved. 

Captain  S,  committed  him  to  the  special  charge  of  the  sur- 
geon, who  spared  no  means  which  hump.iity  or  skill  could  sug- 
gest to  achieve  the  noble  object  of  creating  anew,  as  it  were, 
a  fellow  creature,  whom  the  unparalelled  famine  had  strip^oed 
of  almost  every  Kvmg  energy.  For  three  weoks  he  aca  cely 
ever  left  his  patient,  giving  him  nourishment  w<th  his  owia 
hmid  every  five  or  ten  minutes;  and  at  the  epd  of  three  weekf 


assssssasam 


mnAM  ••AT    HBLlll  lfAe«Bl 


mora,  thm  **  Skeleton  of  the  wreck'*  wae  leea  walkinf  en  tk 
deck  of  the  Amethyst! — and  to  the  surprise  of  all  who  t%otA 
lected  that  he  had  been  lifted  into  the  ship  b^  a  cabin  boy, 
proMBted  the  statel^^  figure  cf  a  man  nearly  six  feet  kigk. 


i 


STEAM  BOAT  HELEN  McQREGOR. 

The  foUowmg  is  a  description,  by  a  passenger,  of  one  of 
Che  most  fatal  ateam  boat  disasters  that  has  ever  occurred  oa 
khe'western  waters 

<<  On  the  morning  of  the  24th  of  Februar;|r,  1830,  the  Helen 
McGregor  stopped  at  Memphis,  on  the  Mississippi  river,  to 
deliver  freight  and  land  a  number  of  passengers,  who  resided 
in  that  section  of  Tennessee.  The  time  occupied  in  so  doing 
could  not  have  exceeded  three  quarters  of  an  hour.  When 
the  boat  landed,  I  went  ashore  to  see  a  gentleman  with  v^hom 
I  had  some  business.  I  found  him  on  thd  beach,  and  after  f 
short  conversation,  I  returned  to  the  boat.  I  recollect  look 
ittf  IP/  my  watch  as  I  passed  the  gang-way.  It  was  half  paif 
tight  o'clock.     A  great  number  of  persons  were  standin^j^  •• 


I 


■TEAM   BOAT    ■XLBJI    MACOKBMkL 


i 


\ 


of 

■o« 

»n 
to 
)d 

*g 
m 

lia 

If 


whtt  is  called  the  boiler  deck,  being  that  part  of  the  upper 
deck  situated  immediately  over  the  boilem.  It  was  crowaod 
to  excess,  and  presented  one  dense  mass  cf  human  bodies.-— 
In  a  few  minutes  we  sat  down  to  breakfast  in  the  cabin.  The 
(able,  although  extending  the  whole  length  of  the  cabin,  wae 
completely  filled,  there  being  upwards  of  sixty  cabin  passeii« 
gers,  among  whom  were  several  ladies  and  children.  The 
number  of  passengers  en  board,  deck  and  cabin  united,  was 
between  four  and  five  hundred.  I  had  almost  finished  my 
breakfast  when  the  pilot  rung  his  bell  for  the  engineer  to  put 
the  machinery  in  motion.  The  boat  having  just  shoved  off,  I 
was  in  the  act  of  raising  my  cup  to  my  lips,  the  tingling  of  the 
pilot  bell  yet  on  my  ear,  when  I  heard  an  explosion,  resetu- 
bling  the  discharge  of  a  small  piece  of  artillery — the  report  was 
perhaps  louder  than  usual  in  such  cases — for  an  exclaraatioD 
was  half  uttered  by  me  that  the  gun  was  well  loaded,  when  the 
rushing  sound  of  steam,  and  the  rattling  of  glass  in  some  of 
the  cabin  windows  checked  my  speech  and  told  too  well  what 
had  occurred.  I  almost  involuntarily  bent  my  head  and  body 
down  to  the  floor — a  vague  idea  seemed  to  shoot  across  mj-^ 
mind  that  more  than  one  boiler  might  burst,  and  that  by  as- 
suming this  posture,  the  destroying  matter  would  pass  over 
without  touching  me. 

The  general  cry  of  "  a  boiler  has  burst"  resounded  from  one 
end  of  trie  table  to   the  other;  and,  as  if  ':y  a   simultaneoui 
movement,  all   started  on   their  feet.      Then   commenced   • 
general  race  to   the  ladies'  cabin,  which  lay  more  towards  the 
stern  of  the  boat.     All  regard  to  order  or  deference  to  sex 
seemed  to  be  lost  in  the  struggle  for  which  should  be  first  and 
farthest  .removed  from  the  dreaded  boilers.     The  danger  had 
already  passed  away!     I  remained  standing  by  the  chair  on 
which  I  had  been  previously  sitting.     Only  one  person  or  two 
A^hid  in  the  cabin  with  me.     As  yet  no  more  than  half  a  min- 
■■Ae  had  elapsed  since  the  explosion;  but,  in  that  brief  space 
how  had   the  scene  changed!     In  that  "drop  of  time"  what 
conffiMion,  distress   and  dismay!     An  instant   before   and  all 
were  in  the  quiet  repose  of  security — another,  and  they  were 
overwhelmed  with  alarm  and  consternation      It  is  but  justice 
to  say  that  in  this  scene  of  terror,  the  ladies  exhil:it<3d  a  de- 
gree  of  firmness   worthy  of  all   praise.      No  screaming,  no 
tainting;  their  fears,  when  uttered,  where  for  their  huabandi 
nnd  children,  not  for  themselvea 

1  advanced  from  my  position  tr  one  of  the  cabin  doorf  fo 
the   purpose  of  inquiring  who  were  iMJuved,  when,  just  ai 
reached  it,  a  man  entered  at  the  opposite  one,  both  his  hai; 


4« 


ITS  AM  BOAT  HE  LBN  Mi  IRBGOR 


covering  his  face,   and  oxelaiming  "  Oli  God,  Oh  God!   I  am 


loat!  lam  ruined!"  He  iinmediali  1)  began  to  tear  off  his 
clotheri.  When  stripped,  he  prerfented  a  most  shocking  and 
afflicting  spectacle  ;  his  face  was  entirely  hlack — his  body 
without  a  particle  ol  skin.  He  had  been  flayftd  alive.  He 
gave  nie  his  name,  and  place  of  a!)ode — then  sunk  in  a  state 
of  exhaustion  and  agony  on  the  floor.  I  assisted  in  placing 
him  on  a  mattrass  taken  from  one  of  the  berths,  and  covered 
him  with  blankets.  He  complained  of  heat  and  cold  as  at 
once  oppressing  him.  He  bore  his  torments  witii  manly 
fortitude,  yet  a  convulsive  shriek  would  occasionally  burst  froiri 
him.  His  wife,  his  children,  were  his  constant  theme;  it  was 
hard  to  die  without  seeing  them — *'  it  was  hard  to  go  without 
bidding  them  one  farewell  !"  Oil  and  cotton  were  applied  to 
bis  wounds  ;  but  he  soon  became  insensible  to  earthly  misery. 
Before  I  hud  done  att  \X'nfr  to  him,  the  whole  floor  of  the 
cabin  was  covered  with  i  unate  sufl^erers.     Some  bore  up 

under  the  horrors  of  their  hi.  ation  with  a  degree  of  resolution 
amounting  to  heroism.  Others  were  wholly  overcome  by  the 
sense  of  pain,  the  suddenness  of  the  disaster,  and  the  near  ap- 
proach of  death,  which  even  to  them  was  evident — whose  pangs 
they  already  felt.  Some  imi)lored  us,  as  an  act  of  humanity, 
to  complete  the  work  of  destruction,  and  free  them  from  pre- 
sent suffering.  One  entreated  the  presence  of  a  cleigyman 
to  pray  by  him,  declaring  he  was  not  fit  to  die.  I  inquired  , 
none  could  be  had.  On  every  side  were  to  be  heard  groans 
and  mingled  exclamations  of  grief  and  despair. 

To  add  to  the  confusion,  persons  were  every  moment  run- 
ning about  to  learn  the  fate  of  their  friends  and  relatives; 
fathers,  sons,  brothers  ;  for,  in  this  scene  of  unmixed  calamity, 
it  was  impossible  to  say  who  were  saved,  or  who  had  perished 
The  countenances  of  many  were  so  much  disfigured  as  to  be 
past  recognition.  My  attention,  after  some  time,  was  parti- 
cularly drawn  towards  a  poor  fellow  who  lay  unnoticed  on  the 
fljor,  without  uttering  a  single  word  of  complaint.  He  was 
at  a  little  distance  renioved  from  the  rest.  He  was  not  much 
•calded,  but  oue  of  his  thighs  was  broken,  and  a  principal 
artery  liad  been  severed,  from  which  the  blood  was  gushing 
rapidly.  He  betrayed  no  displeasure  at  the  apparent  neglect 
with  which  he  was  treated — he  was  perfectly  calm.  I  spoke 
to  him;  he  said  "  he  was  very  weak;  but  felt  himself  going — 
it  would  soon  be  over."  A  gentleman  ran  for  one  of  the  phy- 
sicians ;  he  came,  and  declared  that  if  expedition  were  used^ 
he  might  be  preserved  by  amputating  the  limb  ;  but  that,  to 
•ffsct  this,  it  would  be  necessary  to  remove  him  from  the  boat 


1 


1 


tch 
)a] 

id 
Ike 


K 

to 


•TKAM  BOAT  HILEN  MACOR&OOR. 


47 


: 


tlnfortunatel)  the  boat  was  not  suflficiently  near  to  r  jn  a  plank 
ashore.  We  were  obliged  to  wait  until  it  could  he  close  haul- 
ed. I  stood  by  him  calling  for  htiij) ;  wo  placed  him  on  a 
mattrass,  and  bore  him  to  the  guards  ;  thiMe  .ve  were  detained 
some  time,  from  the  cause  I  have  mentioned,  Never  did  any 
thing  appear  t(»  me  so  slow  as  the  movement  of  those  engaged 

hauling  the  boat. 

I  knew,  and  he  knew,  that  delay  was  death — that  life  was 
fast  ebbing.  I  could  not  take  my  gaze  from  his  face — there 
all  was  coolness  and  resignation.  No  word  or  gesture  indica- 
tive of  impatience  escaped  him.  He  perceived  by  my  loud  and, 
perhaps,  angry  tone  of  voice,  how  much  1  vvas  excited  by  what 
I  thought  the  barbarous  slowness  of  those  around  ;  he  begged 
me  not  to  take  so  much  trouble  ;  that  they  were  doing  their 
best.  At  length  we  got  him  on  shore. — It  was  too  late;  he 
was  too  much  exhausted,  and  died  immediately  after  the  am- 
putation. 

So  soon  as  I  was  relieved  from  attending  on  those  in  the 
the  cabin,  I  went  to  examine  that  part  of  the  boat  where  the 
boiler  had  burst.  It  was  a  complete  wreck — a  picture  of  de- 
struction. It  bore  ample  testimony  of  the  tremendous  force 
of  that  power  which  the  ingenuity  of  man  has  brought  to  his  aid 
The  steam  had  given  every  thing  a  whitish  hue — the  boilerg 
were  displaced — the  deck  had  fallen  down — the  machinery 
was  broken  and  disordered.  Bricks,  dirt  and  rubbish,  were 
scattered  about.  Close  by  the  bowsprit  was  a  large  rent  through 
which  I  was  told  the  boiler  after  exploding,  had  passed  out, 
carrying  one  or  two  men  in  its  mouth.  Several  dead  bodies 
were  lying  around  ;  their  fate  had  been  an  enviable  :ne  com- 
pared with  that  of  others — they  could  scarcely  have  been 
conscious  of  a  pang  ere  they  had  ceased  to  be.  On  the  star- 
board wheel  house  lay  a  human  body,  in  which  life  was  not  yei 
extinct,  though  apparently,  there  was  no  sensibility  remainmg 
The  body  must  have  been  thrown  from  the  boiler  deck,  a  dis- 
ttance  of  thirty  feet.  The  whole  of  the  forehead  had  been 
blown  away  ;  the  brains  were  still  beating.  Tufts  of  hair., 
shreds  of  clothing,  and  splotches  of  blood  might  be  seen  in 
every  direction.  A  piece  of  skin  was  picked  up  by  a  gentle- 
man on  board,  which  appeared  to  have  been  pealed  off*  by  the 
force  of  the  steam;  it  extended  from  the  middle  of  the  arm 
down  to  the  tips  of  the  fingers,  the  nails  adhering  to  it.  So 
dreadful  had  been  the  force  that  not  a  particle  of  the  flesh 
adhered  to  it ;  the  most  skilful  operator  could  scarcely  have 
•ffected  such  a  result.  Several  died  from  inhaliig  the  itMOi 
•r  giNk  vImm*  ikin  wai  plmost  uniniured. 


4t  tTlA^  BOAT  HSLBIf  MACORBOOR. 

The  number  of  lives  lost  will,  in  all  probability,  never  b« 
oistinctly  known.  Many  were  seen  flung  into  tlte  river,  most 
of  whom  sunk  to  rise  no  more.  Could  the  survivors  imve  been 
kept  together  until  the  list  of  passengers  was  called,  the  pre- 
cise loss  would  have  been  ascertaiix^d  ;  that,  however,  though 
it  had  been  attempted,  would,  under  the  circumstances,  have 
been  next  to  impossible 

Judging  from  the  crowd  which  1  saw  on  the  boiler  deck  in»- 
r.aediately  before  the  explosion,  and  the  statement  which  i  re- 
ceived as  to  the  number  of  those  who  succeeded  in  swimmmg 
out  after  they  were  cast  into  the  river,  1  am  inclined  to  believe 
that  between  fifty  and  sixty  must  have  perished. 

The  cabin  passengers  escaped  owi'.g  to  the  pev^uliar  con- 
struction of  the  boat.  Just  behind  the  boilers  were  several 
large  iron  posts,  supporting,  I  think,  the  boiler  deck  ;  across 
each  post  was  a  large  circular  plate  of  iron  of  between  one 
and  two  inches  in  thickness.  One  of  those  posts  was  placed 
exactly  opposite  the  head  of  the  boiler  which  burst,  being  the 
second  one  on  the  starboard  side.  Against  this  plate  the  head 
struck  and  penetrated  to  the  depth  of  an  inch,  then  broke  and 
flew  off  at  an  angle,  entering  a  cotton  bale  to  the  depth  of  a 
foot.  The  boiler  head  was  in  point  blank  range  with  the 
breakfast  table  in  the  cabin,  and  had  it  not  been  obstructed  by 
the  iron  post  must  have  made  a  clear  sweep  of  those  who  were 
seated  at  the  table. 

To  render  any  satisfactory  account  of  the  cause  which  pro- 
duced the  explosion  can  hardly  be  expected  from  one  who 
possesses  no  scientific  or  practical  knowledge  on  the  subject, 
and  who  previously  thereto  was  paying  no  attention  to  the 
management  of  the  boat.  The  captain  appeared  to  be  very 
active  and  diligent  in  attending  to  his  duty.  He  was  on  the 
boiler  deck  when  the  explosion  occurred  ;  was  materially  in- 
jured by  that  event,  and  mus*  have  been  ignorant  of  the  mis" 
management,  if  any  there  were.  "      ■"  >         ^'- 

From  the  Engineer  alone  could  the  true  explanation  be  af- 
forded ;  and,  if  mdeedit  was  really  attributable  to  negligence, 
it  can  scarcely  be  supposed  he  will  lay  the  blame  on  himself 
If  I  might  venture  a  suggestion  in  relation  thereto,  f  \yould  as- 
sign the  following  causes  : — That  the  water  in  the  starboard 
boilers  had  become  low  in  consequence  of  that  side  of  the  boat 
resting  upon  the  ground  during  our  stay  at  Memphis;  that, 
though  the  fires  were  kept  up  sfjrne  time  before  we  shoved  oflT, 
that  ih**  head  which  burst  had  been  cTacked  for  a  considrable 
time,  that  the  boiler  was  extremely  heated,  ma«l  th«  water^ 


> 


\f 


,  Lmn  H  »nrK^_ 


B.QM   or   THB    SUir    BEVBRLT. 


4» 


hrowD  in  vhen  the  boat  was  again  in  motion,  was  at  onc« 

converted  into  steam,  and  the  Hues,  not  being    nuihcientl^ 

arge  to  carry  it  off  as  quickly  as  it  was  generated,  nor  the 

loiler  head  of  a  strength  capable  of  resisting   its  action,  the 

«JLolo8ion  was  a  natural  result 


;e. 


lie 


' 


LOSS  OF  THE  SHIP  BEVERLY. 

The  ship  Beverly,  Capt.  Moore,  bound  to  Valparaiso,  waf 
burnt  at  sea,  on  the  13th  Nov  1826.  She  was  upwards  of 
TOO  toLs  burtheD)  owned  by  Israel  Thorndike  of  Boiton,  and 


io 


LOfM   OF   THft    SHir    BiyiRLT 


the  value  of  the  ship   and  cargo  was  estimated  at   118)000 
dollars. 

On  the  13th  of  Nov.  lat.  6,  26,  Ion.  27,  2,  at  half  past  .% 
P.  M.  the  ship  was  discovered  to  be  on  fire  in  the  fore  peak, 
and  every  exertion  was  mude  tu  exliiiguiL-.li  it  for  three  liouis, 
but  without  success.  Kroui  llie  inllamnl)le  nature  of  the  cargo, 
(which  consisted  of  tar,  rosin,  pitch,  turpentine,  linseed  oil, 
apirits  and  cabinet  furniture,)  the  Hre  Hpreud  with  nlarniing 
rapidity.  They  succeeded  in  getting  out  the  boats,  into  which 
rhe  othcers  and  crew  were  divided,  and  in  a  f'iw  minute.s  left 
her,  having  previously  taken  in  a  {{uantity  r>f  provisions 
They  lay  by  to  the  windward,  until  about  10  o'clock,  when 
the  ship  had  burnt  to  the  water's  edge,  and  then  shaped  their 
course  for  the  coast  of  Brazil.  Finding  their  progress  retard- 
ed by  waiting  for  each  other,  they  mutually  agreed  to  sepa- 
rate on  the  third  day  after  leaving  the  .ship.  There  were  nine 
in  the  pinnace,  fifteen  in  the  long  boat,  and  six  in  the  whale 
boat,  making  a  total  of  thirty  persons  cast  adrift  on  Lhe  open 
ocean. 

On  the  3d  of  December,  the  pinnace  landed  at  Paraiba, 
three  weeks  after  abandoning  the  ship.  Capt.  Moore  stated 
that  while  he  was  in  the  boat  he  had  fine  weather,  and  with 
the  ai  of  a  sail,  averaged  over  90  miles  a  day,  using  the  oars 
but  once  during  the  passage.  He  computed  the  distance  run 
by  the  boat  at  nearly  1600  miles.  The  fire  originated  through 
the  carelessness  of  the  cook,  who  went  below  with  a  lantern, 
and  it  is  supposed  took  the  candle  out.  The  flames  spread  so 
rapidly  that  he  had  his  clothes  and  skin  burnt,  before  he  could 
be  extricated,  and  finally  died  of  his  wounds  in  the  boat. 

One  oCiLc  boys,  who  arrived  with  Capt.  Moore  in  the  pin- 
nace, atler  having  escaped  the  perils  of"  fire  and  flood,"  wag 
ic  unfortunate  as  to  have  one  of  his  legs  bit  oft'  by  a  shark 
while  ^^ihing,  soon  after  he  landed.  • 


1. 

i 


f^f 


MM   •?   THE   SHIP   HBAOULlt. 


T 


I  • 


%^ 


LOSS  OF   THE   SHIP  HERCULES, 


1 


) 


^ 


"  «»N    THE    COAST    OF    CAFFRARIA  ' 

The  account  ol  the  fate  of  the  American  ship  Hercules, 
and  of  the  adventures  and  sufferings  of  her  crew,  which  set 
out  on  her  voyage  from  Bengal  in  the  month  of  December, 
1795,  involves  so  much  interest,  as  cannot  fail  to  prove  ex- 
tremely entertaining  :  nor  can  it  be  bettt  Jetailed  than  from 
the  account  given  bj^  her  commander,  Capt.   Benjamin  Stout. 

The  Hercules  was  laying  at  Bengal,  and  it  was  the  inten- 
.ion  of  the  Captain  to  take  in  a  private  freight  for  Hamburgh 
out  not  finding  one  that  would  answer  his  expectations,  he 
shartored  his  ship  to  the  British  East  India  Company,  who 
"vere  at  that  time  busily  employed  in  shipping  rice  for  England, 
intelligence  having  reached  the  settlements  in  India,  that  a 
eilure  of  corn  throughout  the  v  hole  of  Great  Britain  was 
ikely  to  produce  a  famine,  the  most  active  and  laudable  exer- 
aons  were  made  in  India  to  supply  the  markets  at  home  wHh 
iice.  Capt.  S.  received  on  board  upwards  of  nine  thousand 
wags,  with  directions  to  }Toceed  to  London  witii  every  possible 
despatch.  The  crew,  most  of  whom  having  been  engaged  in 
^ndia  consisted  of  Americans,  JDanes,  Swedes,  Dutch,  Portu- 


I.OM  or  THE   IHIF   HBIICnLM. 


Suese,  but  chiefly  Lascard^  amounting  in  the  whole,  men  and 
oys,  to  about  eixty-four  porsons.  'J'ho  necessary  arrange- 
ments for  the  voyage  being  completed,  they  saiied  from  Sagar- 
roads  on  the  17th  of  March,  1796. 

Nothing  material  occurred  during  the  voyage  until  the  1st 
of  June  following,  at  which  time  they  reached  the  latitude  of 
about  35  south,  and  28,  40  cast  longitude.  It  then  began  to 
blow  a  gjile  from  the  westward,  and  which  obliged  them  to  lay 
to  under  their  mizzen  stay-sail  for  about  six  duys.  During 
this  time  the  gale  continued  to  blow  from  the  west,  but  increas- 
ed progressively  until  the  7th,  when  the  contentions  of  the 
sea  and  winds  presented  a  scene  of  horror,  o^-.'b'ch,  perhaps 
the  annals  of  marine  history  give  us  no  exr^mple.  *' AUhough 
ored  to  the  sea,  (says  Captain  Stout)  from  my  earliest  life, 
yet  all  I  had  ever  seen  before,  all  I  had  3ver  heard  of  or  read, 
gave  me  no  adequate  idea  of  those  sublime  effects  which  the 
yioleoce  and  raging  of  the  elements  produce,  and  which,  at 
this  tremendous  hour,  seemed  to  threaten  nature  itself  with 
dissolution.'-  The  ship  raised  on  mountains  of  water,  was  in 
a  moment  precipitated  into  an  abyss,  where  she  appeared  to 
wait  until  the  coming  sea  raised  her  again  into  the  clouds. 
The  perpetual  roaring  of  the  elements  echoing  through  the 
the  void,  produced  such  an  awful  sensation  in  the  minds  of  the 
most  experienced  of  the  seamen,  that  several  of  them  appear- 
ed for  some  time  in  a  state  of  stupefaction  ;  and  those  less 
accustomed  to  the  dangers  of  the  sea,  added  to  this  scene  of 
misery  by  their  shriekings  and  exclamations. 

The  terrors  of  the  day  could  only  be  surpassed  by  those  of 
the  night.  When  the  darkness  came  on,  it  is  impossible  foi 
man  to  describe,  or  human  imagination  to  conceive,  a  scene 
of  more  transcendant  and  complicated  horror.  To  fill  up  the 
measure  of  their  calamities,  about  the  hour  of  midnight  a  sud- 
den shift  of  wind  threw  the  ship  into  the  trough  of  the  sea, 
which  struck  her  aft,  tore  away  the  rudder,  starteu  the  stern- 
post  from  the  haudcn  ends,  and  shattered  the  whole  of  the 
stern-frame.  The  pumps  were  immediately  sounded  ;  and  in 
the  course  of  a  few  minutCv*"  the  water  had  increased  to  four 
feet.  A  gang  was  immcdirStely  ordered  to  the  pumps,  and  the 
remainder  were  employed  in  getting  up  rice  out  of  tht  run  of 
the  ship,  and  heaving  it  overboard,  in  order,  if  possible,  to  get 
at  the  leak.  After  three  or  four  hundred  bags  were  thrown 
into  the  sea,  the  principal  leak  was  discovered,  and  the  water 
poured  in  with  astonishing  rapidity.  In  order,  therefore,  to 
flsoroaao  tm  much  aa  possible  the  influx-  of  water,  sbeeia,  shirt«|^ 


11% 


, 


-J.ML     IJJiMUBI^Wi^yy 


LOM   OF   THE    SHir    HBROOLU. 


» 


at 


of 

foi 

|;erie 

the 

ud- 

lea, 

the 
in 
tour 
I  the 
of 

Wn 
^ter 
to 

rtn, 


I 


jackets,  bales  of  muslin,  and  evciy  thing  of  the  like  descri^* 
tion  were  thrust  into  the  aperture.  Had  not  these  exertions 
been  attended  withnome  success,  the  ship  must  certainly  have 
gone  down,  although  the  pumps  delivered  ddy  tuns  of  water 
an  hour. 

As  the  next  day  advanced,  the  weather  began  to  moderate 
The  men  worked  incessantly  at  the  pumps,  and  every  exer* 
tion  was  made  to  keep  the  ship  afloat.     They  were  at  the  time 
about  two  hundred  miles  from  the  eastern  coast  of  Africa. 

On  the  9th,  although  the  violonce  of  the  tempest  had  irt  a 
great  measure  subsided,  yet  the  swell  of  the  sea  was  tremen- 
dous. The  long-boat  was  ordered  out;  but  the  captain  having 
reason  to  suspect  that  some  of  the  crew  would  endeavor  to 
make  off  with  her,  he  directed  the  second  mate  and  three  sea- 
men to  lake  possession  of  her  ;  at  the  same  time  giving  them 
arms  and  express  orders  to  shoot  the  first  man  who  attempted 
to  board  her  without  his  permission.  They  were  also  instruct* 
ed  to  keep  astern,  and  to  stick  by.  the  ship  until  she  came  to  an 
anchor. 

The.  men  having  taken  their  stations  in  the  boat,  a  raft  was 
ordered  to  be  made  of  all  the  large  spars,  which  was  accord- 
ingly done.  The  whole  when  lashed  together  measured  about 
35  feet  in  length,  and  15  in  breadth.  At  this  time  the  captain 
apprehended  the  ship  could  not  make  the  land,  and  being  con- 
vinced, in  case  of  her  gomg  down,  that  all  the  people  could 
not  be  received  into  the  long-boat,  determined  not  to  neglect 
any  measure  that  presented  even  a  chance  of  saving  the 
whole. 

When  the  second  mate  was  preparing  to  obey  the  orders 
he  had  received,  and  take  command  of  the  long-boat,  the  car- 
penter addressed  th(;  captain  in  a  respectful  manner,  and  ear- 
nestly entreated  him  to  leave  the  ship.  On  being  reprimand- 
ed for  not  attending  to  the  pumps,  the  man  burst  into  tears, 
and  declared,  that  the  whole  of  the  stern-frame  was  shook  and 
loosened  in  such  a  manner,  that  he  expected  every  hour  she 
would  go  down.  The  miserable  appearance  of  this  man,  and 
the  affecting  tone  of  voice  in  when  he  delivered  his  apprehen- 
sions, considerably  increased  the  terrors  of  the  crew  ;  where 
upon  the  captain  thought  it  necessary  to  declare  that  he  would 
perform  his  duty,  and  stick  to  the  ship  until  he  was  convinced 
from  his  own  observation  that  all  hopes  of  saving  her  was  at 
an  end.  The  carpenter  repeated  his  solicitations,  when  he 
was  ordered  to  his  post,  and  assured,  at  the  san-e  time,  that 
IH^eaa  be  made  every  lexertion  to  encourage  tht  people  in 


54 


LOU   or    TUK    SHIP    IlEKCUi  «« 


. 


their  duty  at  the  pumps,  he  ehouldbe  immediately  thi own  ir'o 
ihe  sea.  He  retired,  and  exerted  himself  afterwards  with  a 
^nanly  perseverance. 

The  captain  was  irnniediately  nddresHcd  on  the  departure    f 
the  carpenter  by  many  of  the  sailors,  and  on  the  same  subjeit 
They   were  so  clamoroua,  and  diflbrod  so  much  in  their  opin 
ions,  that     he  was    nearly   going    to  extremes  with  some  o) 
them. 

Those  circumstances  are  mentioned  as  a  caution  to  future 
navigators,  who  ure  entrusted  \vitl»  a  command.  'J'hey  too 
frequently  listen  to  the  opinions  of  their  people  in  time  of  dan- 
ger, who  are  generally  for  quitting  the  ship  and  taking  to 
boats,  masts,  yards  and  spars  formed  into  a  raft,  or  whatever 
timbers  they  can  lash  together;  indeed,  as  the  prejudices  and 
sentiments  of  the  common  sailors  on  these  occasions  are  8o 
various,  it  is  not  to  be  .supposed  that  any  thing  can  arise  from 
Buch  mistaken  conduct,  but  confusion  and  misfortune.   - 

A  crew,  such  as  composed  that  of  the  Hercules,  which  con- 
sisted of  people  of  various  nations,  require  indeed  from  their 
commander  a  peculiar  attention.  It  may  happen,  that  by 
humoring  their  religious  prejudices  at  a  particular  moment, 
an  essential  service  may  be  obtained  ;  and  the  following  re- 
markable anecdote  will  tend  to  elucidate  this  opinion. 

At  a  period  when  the  tempest  raged  with  the  utmost  vio- 
lence, the  captain  directed  most  of  the  crew  below,  particular- 
ly the  lascars,  to  work  the  pumps.  One  of  them,  however, 
was  perceived  coming  up  the  gang-way,  with  a  handkerchief 
in  his  hand  ;  and  on  being  questioned  what  he  was  about,  he 
answered  in  a  tone  of  voice  that  discovered  a  perfect  confi- 
dence in  the  measure  he  proposed,  that  he  was  going  to  make 
an  offering  to  his  God.  "  This  handkerchief,"  said  he,  "  con- 
tains a  certain  quantity  of  rice,  and  all  the  rupees  I  am 
worth ;  suffer  me  to  lash  it  to  the  mizen-top,  and  rely  upon  it, 
Sir,  we  shall  all  be  saved."  The  captain  was  going  to  order 
him  back  to  the  pumps,  but  recollecting  that  in  so  doing  he 
might  throw  both  him  and  his  countrymen  into  a  state  of  de- 
spondency, and  thereby  lose  the  benefit  of  their  exertions,  he 
acquiesced.  The  lascar  thanked  him,  and  he  soon  beheld  this 
child  of  prejudice  mount  the  tottering  ladder  without  discover- 
ing a  single  apprehension.  He  lashed  the  handkerch  ef  to 
the  mizen  top-mast  head,  fearless  of  all  danger,  and  arrived  in 
safety  on  the  deck.  Confident  now  that  his  God  was  the 
Captain's  friend,  he  went  below  to  inform  his  brethren  that  he 
bad  done  his  duty^  all  the  lascars  seemed  transported  with 


I 


■  illiilifi 


LOM  OF    TBI   •Uir   MBRCULBI. 


f^^    embraced  thoir  virluouH  conipaiiion,  and  then  laboured  at 
the  pumps  with  as  much  alucrily  ntid  porseverunce,  as  if  they 
had  encountered,    hcfuro,  neither  apprehension  nor  fatigue 
To  their  unceasing  lahors,  wan  owing   in  a  great  measure  the 
preservation  of  his  people. 

The  shift  of  wind  which  threw  the  ship  into  the  trough  of 
the  sea  and  tore  away  the  rudder,  was  fortunately  a  s(|uall  of 
but  short  duration,  not  continuing  above  a  quarter  of  an  hour. 
Had  it  lasted  but  a  little  longer,  the  ship  mnnt  have  been  torn 
to  pieces.  The  wind  came  round  to  its  former  quartfir,  and 
moderated  gradually. 

After  the  long-boat  had  been  delivered  to  the  care  rf  the 
second  mate,  an^  ..lO  raft  completed,  the  captain  held  a  con- 
■ultation  with  the  officers,  and  they  were  all  decidedly  of  opin- 
ion, that  it  was  impossible  to  save  the  ship,  and>that  they  had 
DO  other  chance  to  preserve  their  lives,  than  to  make  the  land 
and  run  her  on  shore.    * 

The  people,  when  informed  of  the  issue  of  this  consultation, 
appeared  to  work  with  renovated  spirits  This  disposition  was 
kept  up  by  being  assured  they  would  soon  be  within  sight  of 
land,  and  that  by  constantly  workinfr  at  the  pumps,  the  ship 
would  be  kept  afloat,  until  they  re;    lied  the  shore. 

The  ship  for  some  time  had  been  unmanageable,  frequently 
standing  with  her  head  from  the  land,  which  all  their  eflorts 
could  not  prevent,  the  captain  got  a  rudder  made  out  of  the 
topmast,  and  fixed  it  in  the  place  of  the  one  they  had  lost;  but 
it  was  found  of  little  use  without  the  help  of  the  long-boat, 
which  he  ordered  therefore  to  be  hauled  athwart  her  stern,  and 
this  served,  although  with  the  greatest  difficulty,  to  get  her 
head  towards  the  shore,  the  wind  being  variable  from  the  east- 
ward. A  cable  could  have  been  got  out,  that  might  have  an- 
swered tolerably  well  to  steer  the  ship  ;  but  the  people  could 
not  be  spared  from  the  pumps  to  attend  rousing  in  on  the 
tackles,  or  guys,  as  occasion  might  require. 

On  the  evening,  however,  of  the  I5th,  they  discovered  land 
at  about  six  leagues  distance.  Al<  on  board  at  this  moment 
expressed  their  joy  in  shouts  and  acclamations.  The  ship 
ftill  Aept  ncaring  the  shore,  with  five  feet  water  in  her  hold. 

On  the  16th  in  the  morning,  being  then  about  two  miles 
from  the  land  and  the  wind  from  the  westward,  the  captain 
ordered  the  anchor  to  be  let  go,  that  a  last  eflbrt  might  bfl 
made  to  stop  the  leaks,  and,  if  possible,  save  the  ship.  But 
her  stern  was  shattered  in  such  a  manner,  that,  after  holding 
another  consultation  with  his  officers,  it  was  finally  reaoWao 


le 


LOM  or  THE  IHir  HKROULlt. 


to  run  the  ship  on  the  coant  then  opposite  to  theiu.  Anothet 
gale  threatened  them,  and  nu  time  was  to  be  lost. 

The  captain  immediately  orde**i4  his  second  mate,  who  was? 
in  the  uor.t,  to  come  on  board,  nr.d  he  then  dehvered  into  his 
custody  t:ie  ship's  register,  and  all  the  papers  of  consequence 
he  had.  After  providing  him  and  his  thrc;i  men  with  water 
anu  provisions  he  ordered  him  into  the  boat  again,  with  direc* 
tions  to  keep  in  the  offing  ,  and  that  after  they  had  run  the 
ship  on  shore,  provided  they  got  safe  to  land,  he  would  search 
for  some  inlet  into  which  he  might  run  with  safety.  They  de- 
sired him  also  to  look  out  for  signals  which  would  be  occa- 
sionally thrown  out  from  the  shore  to  direct  his  course.  The 
.HHtci  faithfully  }  rornised  to  obey  his  instructions,  and  then  re- 
turned to  his  b^at. 

They  were  now  on  the  coast  of  CaHraria,within  a  few  leagues 
if  where  the  river  Infanta  disembogues  itself  into  the  sea. 
A  dreadful  crisis  approached,  and  they  agreed  to  meet  it  with 
becoming  fortitude.  The  captain  therefore  gave  directions 
to  set  the  head  sail,  to  heave  the  spring  tight,  m  order  to 
set  her  head  towards  the  shore,  and  then  to  cut  the  cable 
and  the  spring.  His  orders  were  obeyed  with  the  greatest 
promptitude. 

After  running  until  within  something  less  than  half  a  mile 
of  t\e  shore,  she  struck  on  a  cluster  of  rocks.  The  swell  at 
this  moment  was  tremendous  ;  and  from  the  ship's  thumping 
so  violently,  it  was  wcarctly  possible  for  the  men  to  hold  on. 
In  this  situation  she  remained  for  about  three  or  four  min- 
utes, when  a  sea  too''  her  over  the  rocks,  and  carried  hei 
aboui  a  cable's  length  nearer  the  shore,  where  she  again 
struck,  and  kept  heaving  in  with  a  tireadful  surf,  which  every 
rioment  made  a  breach  over  her. 

The  lashings  that  held  '.he  raft  having  given  way,  and  the 
iipa/s  carried  to  a  considerable  distance  from  the  ship,  they 
lost  all  hope  from  thdt  quarter.  At  length,  one  of  the  crew, 
who  was  a  black,  plunged  into  the  waves,  i.nd  by  exertions 
which  seemed  more  than  human,  gained  and  seated  himself  op 
the  raft.  He  scarcely  remained  in  that  situation  for  ten  min« 
utes,  when  the  whole  ^as  iurned  over,  and  the  man  com- 
pletely enveloped  in  the  sea.  In  a  few  moments,  however, 
they  perco'ved  him  in  his  former  seat.  Again  he  endured  a 
similar  mipfortune;  and  a  third  succeeded.  Still  he  butfeted 
the  waves,  and  gained  the  raft,  until  at  length,  after  suftering 
two  hours  of  fatigue,  which,  until  then,  the  captain  could  not 
possibly  imagiue  human  nature  could  survive,  he  drif.ed  oi 
*t4 


&§••  OF  THK   BHJ.?  HSBCULM. 


hi 


)n8 
lop 
in» 


id 


Th«  Bati«efl,  who  had  kindled  several  tires,  &ppeare«l  m 

Sea*  numbers  on  the  shore.  They  were  mostly  clothed  ia 
ins,  armed  with  spears,  and  accompanied  by  a  vast  number 
of  dogs.  A  party  of  them  seized  .he  man  who  had  landed, 
and  conducted  him  behind  the  sand  hills  that  line  the  coast, 
mnd  which  hid  him  entirely  from  their  view. 

Twelve  of  the  captain's  people  now  launched  themselves 
on  different  spars,  and  whatever  pieces  of  timber  they  could 
find  They  braved  all  dithculties,  and  at  last  gained  the  land 
No  sooner  had  thr^y  reached  the  beach  than  the  natives  came 
down,  seized  and  conducted  them  also  behind  the  sand-hills. 
As  it  was  impossible  for  those  who  remained  on  board,  to  dis- 
cover what  they  were  about,  and  observing  several  parties  cf 
the  natives  appear  at  different  times  on  the  shore,  but  unac- 
companied by  any  of  the  people,  they  conceived  all  those  who 
had  landed  were  massacred,  and  that  a  similar  fate  awaited  the 
whole  of  them.  They  who  had  remained  on  board  the  ship 
were  obliged  to  shelter  themselves  in  the  forecastle,  as  the 
wreck,  becoming  a  fixed  object,  the  sea  made  over  her,  and 
there  was  no  other  part  where  they  could  remain,  even  for 
a  moment,  in  a  state  of  security.  .;-  : 

Suspense  and  apprehension  reigned  durmg  the  whole  of 
the  night.  Some  were  of  opinion,  that,  to  avoid  being  tor- 
tured by  the  savages,  perhaps  thrown  into  the  fires  they  per- 
ceived on  shore,  it  would  be  more  advisable  to  resign  them- 
selves to  a  watery  element,  as  in  that  situation  they  should 
only  endure  a  few  struggles  and  then  life  would  be  no  more 
Others  entertained  different  sentiments,  and  were  for  making 
the  shore  in  as  compact  a  body  as  possible.  ''  We  shall  then," 
said  they,  "  attack  the  savages  with  stones,  or  w^^tever  we 
can  find."  This  was  overruled  as  a  measure  impracticable ; 
there  was  ro  possibility  of  six  men  keeping  together ;  but  if 
such  a  number  could,  by  a  miracle,  get  on  shore  without 
being  divided,  the  natives  could  destroy  them  in  a  moment  with 
their  spears.  The  whole  of  this  miserable  night  was  spent  in 
ffuch  consultations  ;  and  as  the  next  suu  was  to  light  them  to 
their  fate,  they  trembled  at  his  approa<  hing  the  horizon. 

As  soon  as  morning  appeared,  they  looked  towards  the 
•hore;  but  not  an  individual  was  to  be  seen.  Distraction  was 
now  visible  in  every  countenance,  and  what  death  to  choose, 
the  principal  consideration.  At  length,  about  the  hour  of  ninei 
the  scene  changed  in  a  moment.  A  delirium  of  e.xtacy  tue- 
ceeded,  which  no  pencil  can  pourtray,  no  being  can  crnceiye, 
l»iit  those  who  beheld  it.  All  the  people  who  bad  landed  tW 
T04.  I.  y 


Lftlf  or   THX   SHIP  HSROUUi. 


I. 


day  before)  were  ohburved  making  towards  the  shore  )  and 
the)-  soon  perceived  them  beckoning  and  inviting  them  to 
land.  In  a  few  minutes,  every  spar,  grating,  and  piece  o' 
timber  that  could  be  procured,  were  afloat,  and  completely  oc- 
cupied; some  with  two  people,  others  with  more,  according 
to  the  size.  *'  I  immediately  (says  the  captain)  stript  ofl^  my 
shirt,  put  on  a  short  jacket,  wrapt  a  shawl  around  my  waist^ 
in  the  corner  of  which  I  put  a  gold  watch,  and,  keeping  my 
br<  echep  on,  seized  a  spar,  and  launched  into  the  sea.  For 
nearly  turee  quarters  of  an  hour  1  preserved  my  hold,  and 
drilled  towards  the  shore.  Sometimes  I  was  cast  so  near, 
as  to  touch  the  rocks  with  my  feet,  then  hurried  away  to  a 
considerable  distance;  again  I  was  precipitated  forward,  and  in 
a  moment  afterward  carried  off  by  the  returning  sea.  At 
length  a  sudden  jerk,  occasioned  by  the  swell,  strained  both 
my  arms,  and  I  was  compelled  to  quit  the  spar.  At  this  in- 
stant, although  a  considerable  distance  from  the  beach,  a  wave 
that  was  proceeding  rapidly  towards  the  shore,  bore  me  along, 
and  in  a  few  moments  cast  me  senseless  on  the  sand.  My 
peopie,  who  were  on  shore,  observed  my  situation;  they  ran 
down,  and  snatching  me  from  the  danger  of  the  coming  waves, 
bore  me  to  a  place  of  security.  I  was  insensible  at  this  time, 
but  soon  revived,  as  they  placed  me  near  a  fire,  and  used 
every  means  in  their  power  for  my  recovery.  The  first  sub- 
ject of  inquiry,  when  my  faculties  returned,  was,  of  course, 
the  fate  of  my  unfortunate  crew;  and  I  enjoyed  the  heartfelt 
pleasure  of  beholding  them  all  aicund  me,  except  those  in  the 
long-boat,  and  one  man,  vho  perished  near  the  shore.  I 
then  addressed  myself  to  the  natives;  but  on  this  occasion  I 
laboured  under  the  difficulty  of  not  being  understood.  I  knew 
nothing  of  their  language,  and  for  some  time  I  endeavored  to 
explain  myself  by  signs.  Fortunately  there  was  a  Hottentot 
present,  who  had  lived  with  the  Dutch  farmers,  and  could 
speak  their  language.  My  third  mate  was  a  Dutchman,  and 
♦.hese  served  as  interpreters. 

"  This  difficulty  being  happily  removed,  I  endeavored  by 
every  means  in  my  power  to  secure  the  friendship  of  the  na- 
tives. I  thanked  them  in  the  name  of  my  whole  crew,  and  on 
the  part  of  my  nation,  for  the  liberal  and  humane  assistance 
they  had  afforded  us  in  the  hour  of  our  misfortune,  and  solicit- 
ed their  future  kindness  and  support. 

^^  This  being,  as  I  conceived,  at  no  great  distance  from  the 
spot  where  the  Grosvenor  was  lost  in  1782,  I  inquired  of  the 
ni^ives  whether  any  of  them  remembered  such  a  catastropiMi 


LOM  OP   TUft   SHIP   HERCULftS 


69 


oy 

na- 

id  on 

(ance 

ticit- 

the 
tht 


Most  of  them  answered  in  thf>  affirmative,  and,  ascending  one 
of  the  sand-hills,  pointed  to  the  place  where  the  Grosvenc 
suffered. 

'*  I  then  desired  to  know  of  them,  whether  they  had  received 
any  certain  accounts  respecting  the  fate  of  Captain  Coxson, 
who  commanded  the  Grosvenor,  and  who  was  proceeding  on 
his  way  to  the  Cape,  with  several  men  and  women  passengers, 
who  were  saved  from  the  wreck.  They  answered,  that  Cap- 
tain Coxson  and  his  men  were  slain.  One  of  the  chiefs  hav- 
ing insisted  on  taking  two  of  the  white  ladies  to  his  kraal,  the 
captain  and  people  resisted,  and  not  being  armed,  were  im- 
mediately destroyed.  The  natives,  at  the  same  time,  gave  me 
to  understand,  that  at  the  period  when  the  Grosvenor  was 
wrecked,  their  nation  was  at  war  .with  the  colonists;  and 
as  the  captain  and  his  crew  were  whites,  they  could  not  tell, 
provided  they  had  reached  the  Christian  farms,  but  they 
would  asmst  the  colonists  in  the  war.  This  affected  my  situ- 
ation so  directly,  that  I  desired  to  know  on  what  terms  the 
CafTrees  aid  the  colonists  then  stood.  '  We  are  friends,' 
said  they,  *■  and  it  will  be  their  fault  if  we  do  not  always 
remain  so.' 

'*  This  answer  relieved  me  from  a  very  serious  erabarrass- 
nent ;  but  the  fate  of  the  two  unfortunate  ladies  gave  me  so 
much  uneasiness,  that  I  most  earnestly  requested  of  them  to 
tell  me  ail  they  knew  of  their  situation :  whether  they  were 
alive  or  dead:  and  if  living,  in  what  part  of  the  country  they 
were  situatea.  They  replied,  and  with  apparent  concern,  that 
one  of  the  ladies  had  died  a  short  \        after  her  arrival  at  the 


Vv 


and  had 


kraal;   but  thoy  understood   the  otb«  :  was  nvmg, 

several    children  by  the  chief. — *  Where  she  now  is,'  said 

they,  *  we  know  not.' 

"  After  I  had  received  every  possible  information  on  this 
melancholy  subject,  we  employed  ourselves  principally  during 
the  remainder  of  the  day  in  assisting  the  natives  to  8a\  what- 
ever came  on  shore  from  the  wreck.  When  they  goi  a  piece 
of  timber,  they  placed  it  immediately  on  the  fire,  as  the  read 
iest  method  of  procuring  the  iron,  and  which  they  sought  a  *r 
with  the  most  persevering  diligence." 

When  night  came  on,  the  natives  retired,  and  left  tliera  to 
sleep  under  tlie  sand-hills,  without  covering  and  without  food 
The  weather  was  boisterous,  with  a  j?trong  wind  from  the  west- 
ward, and  the  cold  severe;  a  consultation  was  held  in  what 
manner  they  should  dispose  of  themselves  until  the  morning, 
tad  (hey  mt  length  resolved,  that  some  of  them  should  keej^ 


LOIS   or   THE    SlUP   IlEACULtl 


watch  during  the  night,  and  the  rest  place  themselYes  neif 
the  lire,  and  if  possible  obtain  a  little  rest. 

The  night  passed  without  any  of  the  unfortunate  sufiereri 
enjoying  a  moment  of  repose.  Their  bodies  on  one  side  were 
heated  by  the  fire;  but  the  cold  chilled  the  other  in  such  a 
mar.r.er  as  to  render  the  pain  hardly  supportable.  The  sand, 
driven  by  the  winds  in  prodig'ous  quantities,  filled  their  eyes, 
ears  and  mouths  as  they  lay  under  the  banks,  and  kept  them 
ivL  perpetual  motion.  They  likewise  ente*.ained  apprehen- 
sions respecting  the  natives. 

At  length  day  appeared,  and  the  CafTrees  returned  in.  great 
numbers.  The  chief  knowing  they  were  in  want  of  food, 
brought  a  bullock,  which  they  immediately  slaughtered  by 
knocking  the  animal  on  the  head  with  clubs,  and  penetra- 
ting its  sides  with  their  spears.  It  was  skinned  almost  in 
a  moment,  and  they  cut  it  up  in  lumps,  whr^h  they  placed  on 
the  fire  to  singe  rather  than  to  roast,  anti  then  devoured  their 
respective  shares  with  the  highest  patisfactvon.  The  beast,  as 
it  was  given  to  tl  e  famished  crew,  it  might  be  supposed,  would 
be  lefl  for  their  disposal;  but  the  CafTrees  were  hungry,  and 
they  knew  nothing  of  European  etiquette.  It  is  true,  they 
presented  the  bullock  to  them  as  a  donation;  but  they  saw  no 
reason  why  they  should  not  dispose  of  the  greater  part  of  it. 

On  cutting  up  the  animal,  it  was  observed  they,  paid  more 
than  ordinary  attention  to  the  paunch.  Several  of  the  Caf^ 
frees  laid  violent  hands  on  it;  and  afler  giving  it  a  shake  for 
the  purpose  of  emptying  the  contents,  they  tore  the  greater 
part  in  slits  with  their  teeth,  and  swallowed  the  whole  as  it 
came  warm  from  the  beast. 

Their  meal,  such  as  it  was,  being  finished,  part  of  the  crew 
proceeded  to  the  shore,  and  the  long  boat  was  observed  at  a 
considerable  distance.  The  ship  was  dividing  very  fast,  and 
the  gale  increasing,  many  things  were  therefore  cast  on  shore, 
which  the  CafTrees  v/ere  indefatigable  in  procuring.  A  cask, 
however,  was  thrown  on  the  beach,  whi(*>  considerably  excit- 
ed the  captain's  anxiety:  it  contained  «i>';,  gallons  of  rum,  a 
quantity  sufficient  to  have  intoxicated  the  whole  of  the  na- 
tives, although  they  amounted  to  at  least  300.  Their  predilec- 
tion for  such  liquor  is  well  known,  and  the  consequence  of 
their  intoxication  was  particularly  dreaded  by  the  captain 
The  only  way  lefl  was  to  steal  to  the  spot  where  the  cask  lay, 
and  stave  in  the  head  without  being  perceived  by  them.  Thii 
was  happily  accomplished,  and  they  aflerwards  sf  ippcd  the 
vessel  of  the  iron  hoops,  without  discovering  what  had  beea 
deae  or  what  it  formerly  contained 


LOM  or  THE   SHIP   HBRCULKt 


M 


Iii  the  general  search  on  the  shore,  one  of  the  Cafirees  had 
picked  up  the  ship's  compass.  Not  knov/ing  what  it  was,  yet 
pleased  with  its  formation^  he  delivered  it  to  the  chief,  who 
immediately  took  it  to  piecoa,  and  after  contemplating  the 
various  parts,  took  the  copper  ring  in  which  it  hung,  and  sus- 
pended it  from  his  ne<-k.  fie  appeared  highly  pleased  with 
the  ornament;  and  this  eircunistance  induced  the  captam  to 
L.esent  him  with  one  still  more  glittering,  and  of  course,  in 
his  estimation,  more  valuable;  recollecting  that  he  had  in  his 
possession  a  pair  of  paste  knee-buckles,  he  presented  them  to 
the  chief,  and  hung  one  upon  each  of  his  ears. 

The  moment  this  was  done,  the  chief  stalked  about  wit'i  an 
air  of  incomraon  dignity.  Kis  people  seemed  to  pay  him 
greatei  reverence  than  before,  and  they  were  employed  for 
some  time  in  gazing  at  the  brilliancy  of  the  ornaments,  and 
contemplating  the  august  deportment  of  their  chief  magistrate. 

Towards  evening  the  captain  again  addressed  the  chief  on 
the  subject  of  their  departure.  He  requested  him  to  send 
a  guide  with  them  through  the  desarts  to  the  first  Christian 
settlement,  and  that  nothing  should  be  wantii  g  on  his  part  tc 
recompense  his  kindness.  The  CafTree  paused  lor  a  moment^ 
and  then  very  coolly  replied,  that  he  would  gratify  the  cap- 
tain's wishes;  and  being  desired  to  name  the  time  when  he 
would  suffer  them  to  depart,  he  gravely  answered,  "  When  I 
consider  that  matter  you  shall  be  made  acquainted  with  my 
determination."  These  answers  alarmed  the  unfortunate 
sufTerers.  The  countenance  of  the  savage  appeared  to  dis- 
cover same  hostile  measure  that  was  lurking  in  his  mind;  anr 
yet  his  former  conduct  was  so  liberal  and  i^umane,  that  they 
had  no  just  grounds  for  suspecting  his  integrit} .  The  na 
tives,  however,  were  perceived  consulting  together  in  parties, 
and  from  their  gestures  nothing  favorable  could  be  perceived. 
When  the  day  was  drawing  to  a  close,  the  crew  were  left  to 
rest  under  the  sand-hills,  as  on  the  former  night. 

The  tire  was  recruited  with  some  timber  from  the  wrecJ*' 
and  sentinels  placed  as  before.  The  wind  blowing  hard  froiii 
the  same  quarter,  they  were  again  tormented  with  clouds  of 
sand  and  a  chilling  atmosphere.  June  being  one  of  the  winter 
months,  they  had  to  encounter  the  severities  of  the  seCvoc. 
It  was  impossible  to  shift  their  quarters  as  they  could  not  pro- 
cure timbers  to  light  new  fires,  and  the  Caffrees  might  be  dis- 
pleased at  their  not  remaining  in  their  former  situation.  The 
night  passed  in  consultation  and  gloomy  predictions.  The 
captain  told  hia  people  not  to  do  aav  thing  that  might  have  tlM 


6f 


LOIS   or   THK   SHIP   HERCULM. 


'^'^  ' 


m- 


east  tendency  to  displease  the  natives;  to  give  them  everji 
thing  they  asked  for,  as  the  inhabitants  of  these  dcsarts  were 
only  to  be  dreaded  when  provoked.  But,  at  the  same  time,  if 
contrary  to  their  expectation  they  made  an  attack,  or  endeav- 
ored to  detain  them  after  a  certain  time,  then  he  hoped  they 
would  firmly  unite  and  either  force  their  way  or  perish  in  tbe 
conflict. 

When  the  sun  made  his  appearance^  they  mounted  the  most 
elevated  of  the  sand-hills  to  look  out  for  the  long  boat;  bu) 
■he  was  not  to  be  discovered  m  any  direction.  In  a  short  time 
they  perceived  the  Caffrees  advancing.  Most  of  them  had 
assagays  in  their  hands;  others  were  furnished  with  clubs; 
some  were  decorated  with  ostrich's  feathers,  and  their  chief 
wearing  a  leopard's  skin,  with  the  captain's  knee-buckles  sus- 
pended as  before.  They  saluted  the  crew  in  a  very  friendly 
manner,  and  were  accompanied  by  them  to  the  beach.  The 
wind  increased  during  the  night,  and  several  parts  of  the  ship 
came  on  shore.  One  of  the  people  had  picked  up  a  hauo-saw. 
and  as  he  perceived  the  Caffrees  were  indefatigable  in  procu- 
ring iron,  he  hio  it  in  the  sand£>.  This  was  a  valuable  acquisi- 
tion, and  became  of  infinite  service  to  them  in  the  course  of 
their  proceedings.  f  * ;, 

Having  secured  all  they  could  obtain  from  the  wreck,  the 
captain  requested  the  chief  to  order  some  of  his  people  to  dis- 
play their  skill  in  the  use  of  the  assagays.  This  is  a  spear  of 
about  four  feet  six  inches  in  length,  made  of  an  elastic  wood, 
and  pointed  with  iron,  which  the  natives  contrive  to  poison 
so  effectually,  that  if  it  wounds  either  man  or  beast,  death  m 
the  inevitable  consequence. 

The  captain's  wishes  were  immediately  gratified.  The  Ca'' 
frees  first  placed  a  block  of  wood  on  the  ground,  and  then  rt 
tired  about  seventy  yards  from  the  spot  where  it  lay.  The 
^hief  then  said,  they  would  now  behold  their  manner  of  fight- 
ing when  engaged  in  battle.  These  compliances,  as  thev 
seemed  to  remove  former  suspicions,  gave  great  satisfa:tior 
to  the  sufferers.  A  party  of  about  thirty  began  their  ma- 
ncLverings.  They  first  ran  to  a  considerable  distance,  then 
fell,  as  if  motionless,  on  the  ground;  in  a  moment  they  start- 
ed up,  divided,  joined  again,  and  ran  in  a  compact  body  to  the 
spot  from  whence  they  originally  set  out.  Afler  halting  for 
about  a  minute,  they  let  fly  a  shower  of  assagays  at  the  nciark, 
and  with  a  precision  that  was  truly  astonishing. 

Not  a  word  more  passed  this  day  about  the  departure  of  the 
crow.     The  natives  retired  as  usual  on  the  approach  of  nighi 


L08I   OV  THB   SHIP   HBRCULIf. 


69 


All  were  employed  to  gather  wood,  and  after  procuring  a  auf- 
fioient  quantity,  they  stretched  themselves  on  the  ground,  and 
ia  spite  of  wind,  sand  and  cold,  slept  until  the  morning. 

When  day  appeared,  all  were  again  employed  in  looking 
out  for  the  long  boat;  but  she  was  not  to  be  seen,  nor  did  they 
ever  hear  of  her  again 

The  Caffrees  did  not  make  their  appearance  this  day  until 
the  sun  had  proceeded  two  hours  in  his  course.  As  little 
now  was  to  be  procured  from  the  wreck.  Captain  Stout  beg- 
ged the  chief  to  appoint  a  guide  for  himself  and  crew,  as  he 
proposed  taking  his  departure  on  the  next  day.  "  I  shall  fur- 
nish you  with  two,"  said  the  chief.  These  joyful  tidings  were 
lelivered  with  so  much  frankness,  that  the  captain  was  re- 
ieved  at  once  from  all  apprehension  and  suspicion. 

Desirous  of  having  the  Hottentot  who  served  as  an  inter 
.reter  to  accompany  them  through  the  desart,  the  chief  wai 
given  to  understand  how  much  the  services  of  this  man  would 
not  only  contribute  to  their  pleasure,  but  also  to  their  safety. 
The  honest  savage,  however,  had  anticipated  their  wishes;  he 
had  previously  mentioned  i'  co  the  Hottentot,  who  had  con- 
sented to  proceeu  to  the  first  Christian  fa:ni.  Another  of  the 
tribe,  who  was  better  acquainted  witu  ^he  country,  had  like- 
wise agreed  to  be  of  the  party;  and  this  information  which  was 
communicated  to  the  crew,  diffused  a  general  joy  and  satis- 
faction. 

After  assuring  the  chief  and  the  Caffrees  in  general  of  their 
unalterable  friendship,  and  that  the  guides  should  be  rewarded 
to  the  extent  of  their  wishes,  **  I  told  him,  (says  the  captain), 
we  had  endured  great  distress  for  want  of  water,  and  begged 
to  know  where  we  could  procure  some  '  I  will  conduct 
you,'  said  he,  *  to  a  spring  of  excellent  water;  it  is  not  far 
from  this^lace,  and,  if  you  think  proper,  we  will  proceed  di- 
rect to  the  spot '  No  sooner  was  the  proposal  made  than  we 
set  out;  the  Caffrees  singing  and  dancing  as  they  proceeded, 
and  my  people,  although  not  without  suspicions,  in  tolerable 
spirits." 

Afler  travelling  westward  about  four  miles  through  a  de- 
lightful country,  they  came  at  last  to  a  wood,  in  the  bosom  of 
which  was  discovered  a  hollow.  The  Cafirees  descended  first, 
and  when  they  all  arrived  at  the  bottom,  the  chief  pointed  to 
the  brook.  They  drank  of  the  water  and  found  it  delicious 
Aflor  allaying  their  thirst,  they  looked  about  and  from  the  dis- 
mal appearnnce  of  the  place,  were  again  in  a  state  of  ap 
prehension      Being  mostly  of  opinion,  that  nothisg  less  was 


i 


'I 


LOM  OF  THK   SHIP   UBRCULM 


intended  by  the  Caffrccs  thtm  to  massacre  the  whole  (Arty  ji 
this  sequestered  place;  that  they  were  decoyed  here  for  the 
purpose;  and  that  every  mun  shouid  pre|)ure  to  defend  his  life 
The  captain,  however,  endeavored  to  quiet  their   apprehen- 


sions, and  It  ladt  succeeded. 


The  CalTrees  havinf(  invited  the  party  to  remain  on  this  spot 
during  the  night,  they  began  to  prepare  wood  for  the  fires 
All  hands  went  to  W9rk,  and  by  the  assistance  of  a  hand-saw, 
hey  procured  some  dry  trees  and  underwood  that  afforded  t 
very  comfortable  fire.  One  of  the  Hottentots,  who  was  so 
rich  as  to  possess  a  tinder-box  struck  a  light;  and  this  accom- 
modation being  not  only  highly  useful  but  unexpected,  gave 
new  spirits  to  tne  whole  party. 

The  natives,  as  the  night  came  on,  did  not  retire  as  usual  to 


fresh  alarm,  which  did  not  appear 
situated  as  the  party  then  were. 


their  kraal.    This  gave  a 
to  be  without  some  cause; 

they  were  obliged  to  abide  the  event,  and  therefore  prepared 
for  the  worst  that  could  happen.  The  watch  was  set  as  for- 
merly; but  the  Gafirees  huddling  together,'Trere  soon  lost  in 
sleep.  This  place,  however  dismal  in  its  appearance,  afforded 
a  tolerable  shelter  for  the  night ;  clouds  of  sand  were  no 
longer  troublesome  and  the  severities  of  the  wind  and  cold 
we* "«  mitigated  by  the  friendly  shade  afforded  by  the  trees. 

"  We  were  roused,"  says  the  captain,  "  by  the  savages  as 
the  sun  appeared,  and  we  departed  from  this  supposed  Gol- 
gotha in  tolerable  spirits.  Wo  had,  however,  consumed  the 
last  pound  of  our  bullock  before  we  left  the  sand-hills,  and  oui 
party  began  to  dread  an  approaching  famine,  x  mentioned 
the  distress  of  my  people  to  the  chief,  and  he  promised  to  re- 
lieve us.  We  had  journeyed  but  a  few  miles,  when  the  Caf- 
frees  told  us  we  must  remain  where  we  were  that  night.  We 
accordingly  set  to  work  to  procure  fire  wood,  and  had  scarcely 
completed  this  necessary  business,  when  the  chief  presented 
us  with  another  bullock.  I:  waet  soon  despatched,  skinned^ 
cut  'rt-"5  o'e":*3  o(  aioi  'ny  pounds  each,  and  we  then  pro- 
ceedea  .o  J<ess  tnem  as  provision  for  our  journey.  This  wat 
a  business  of  so  much  importance,  that  most  of  the  day  was 
spent  in  accomplishing  it. 

*^  The  night  passed  with  less  apprehension  than  before,  and 
when  the  morning  came  we  prepared  for  our  departure. 

"  The  moment  now  arrived  when  tne  real  intentions  of  the 
CafiTrees  were  to  be  developed.  The  natives  came  about  us, 
and  assisted  in  dividing  the  provisions.  Each  man  was  to 
carry  his  own  stock   which  amounted  to  about  three  or  four 


SSSSS 


Loaa  ov  THi  iHir  HsaouLU 


■saw. 


I 


pounds  of  beef;  this  with  some  biscuits,  which  a  few  of  1117 
people  had  contrived  to  preserve  from  the  wreck,  was  to  serve 
us  until  we  reached  a  Christian  settlement.  So  far  tVom  any 
appearance  of  hostility,  the  natives  seemed  to  view  our  depart- 
ure with  regret.  I  took  the  chief  by  the  l.^und,  ai.d  thanked 
him  for  his  great  and  friendly  attentions  to  n:e  and  my  unfbr- 
tunate  crew;  assuring  him  at  the  same  time,  that  if  1  survived 
the  journey,  it  would  ever  be  my  first  consideration  to  render 
him  and  his  people  some  essentkil  service.  He  thanked  me, 
and  then  requested  I  would  tell  the  colonists  our  3hip  was  lost 
at  sea,  and  so  distant  from  the  land,  that  no  part  of  her  could 
possibly  reach  the  shore.  He  also  desired  me  to  place  the  ut- 
most confidence  in  my  guides,  as  they  would  certainly  direct 
me  for  the  best.  After  my  peoplr*  and  the  natives  had  ex- 
changed some  mutual  civilities,  we  parted,  and  gave  one 
another  a  last  and  affectionate  adieu." 

They  Jid  not  take  their  departure  on  the  morning  of  the 
23d  UHtil  the  sun  was  well  up.  The  guides  were  intelligent, 
and  gave  them  to  understand  that  they  must  on  co  account 
travel  early^  as  the  wild  beasts  constantly  rose  with  the  sun, 
and  then  ranged  the  desarts  in  quest  of  their  prey.  As  they 
were  all  unarmed,  a  single  lion,  leopard  or  panther,  could 
have  destroyed  most  of  them.  It  became  therefore  highly 
necessary  they  should  not  stir  until  these  animals  had  satisfied 
their  hunger,  and  were  retired  for  the  day. 

Notwithstanding  thi^  cautious  and  necessary  advice,  and 
which  was  given  with  a  laudable  earnestness  for  their  preser- 
vation, still  the  people  were  so  desirous  of  getting  on,  that  they 
grew  uneasy;  but  the  guides  could  not  be  induced  to  quit  the 
nres  untl  about  nine  o'clock,  at  which  time  they  all  proceed 
ed  and  in  good  spirits. 

Not  more  than  three  or  four  of  the  party  were  at  this  mO" 
ment  in  possession  of  shoes.  They  had  many  hundred  miles 
to  travel  through  unknown  countries,  to  uscend  mountains  of 
stupendous  elevation,  penetrate  woods,  traverse  desarts,  ford 
rivers;  and  yet  they  were  to  combat  all  these  difficulties  bare- 
footed, not  having  saved  above  four  pairs  of  shoes,  and  even 
these  but  m  sad  condition 

^'  As  my  feet  were  nuked  (says  the  captain)  like  most  of  my 
people,  one  of  them  offered  me  an  old  pair  of  boots  which  he 
then  wore;  but  I  refused  them.  My  habiliments  were  a  short 
jacket,  a  table  cloth,  which  I  found  on  the  shore,  wrapt  round 
my  loins;  a  shawl  over  it,  four  shirts  which  I  wore  at  the  same 
tim*,  a  pair  of  trcwsers,  and  a  hat      We  bore  to  the 


LOU  or  THS  SHIP   HKRCULIB 


iftr 


I 


ward  on  our  jetting  out,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  freak 
^ator  in  the  course  of  our  journey.     Our  guides  observed, 
ihat  near  the   coast  the    vater  was  generally   brackish;  »ve 
therefore  struck  into  the  interior,  and  were  not  entirely  disap 
pointed  in  our  expectations." 

They  now  travelled  throuj^h  a  country  beautifully  variega- 
ted with  hills,  dales,  extensi^'c  plains  finely  watered,  but  lesi 
wooded  than  the  former.  The  grass  appeared  of  an  extra- 
ordinary height;  but  in  the  course  they  pursued,  not  a  human 
foot-step  could  be  traced;  no  cattle,  no  sign  of  cultivation 
could  be  observed.  They  were  not  interrupted  by  any  beast 
of  prey,  although  they  constantly  perceived  their  dung  At 
length,  after  travelling  about  thirty-five  miles,  thoy  began  to 
feel  the  want  of  water. 

Having  searched  for  this  indispensable  aliment  with  the  ut- 
m  ^st  anxiety  and  attention,  they  were  so  fortunate  as  to  dis- 
cover, before  sun-set,  a  brook  that  ran  near  the  corner  of  a 
wood;  and  here  they  detrsriuined  to  rest  for  the  night.  They 
began,  therefore,  to  prepare  a  sufficient  quantity  of  fuel.  The 
wood  was  chiefly  composed  of  trees  that  partook  in  some  degree 
of  the  nature  of  thorn:  they  cut  several,  and  arranged  their  fires. 
One  of  the  Caffrees  struck  a  light,  and  the  whole,  in  a  few 
minutes,  w&s  in  a  blaze.  The  tinder  which  he  provided  wag 
of  a  particular  description:  it  consisted  of  a  pitchy  substance, 
extracted  from  a  reed,  and  so  tenacious  of  fire,  that  a  single 
spark  from  the  steel  caught  it  in  a  moment.  The  weather 
being  cold,^  they  resolved  to  sleep  close  to  one  another,  but 
thei  guides  told  them,  the  place  they  had  fixed  upon  to  rest 
during  the  night  was  known  to  be  infested  with  leopards;  and 
-hat,  if  they  scented  the  party,  nothing  could  prevent  them 
from  destroying  some  of  them.  This  intelligence  induced 
them  to  enlarge  their  fires,  and  they  began  to  consult  upon 
other  measures  that  were  likely  to  contribute  also  to  their 
preservation.  But  such  is  the  powerful  influence  of  Morpheua 
over  the  harrassed  soul,  that  their  conversation  had  scarcely 
commenced  on  this  important  subject,  when  they  were  all  re- 
lieved from  any  sense  of  danger,  by  gently  falling  into  a  sound 
sleeo.  in  which  they  remained  in  perfect  security  until  the 
morning. 

No  sooner  had  the  sun  peeped  above  the  horizon,  than  they 
were  all  routed  by  the  tremendous  roaring  of  lions.  Ncvei 
were  men  in  a  situation  more  truly  alarming.  Had  they  dis< 
covered  them  during  the  night  'hey  must  have  been  torn  to 
oiecei  when  sleeping,  as  not  an  individual  could  attend  th« 


UMt  OV   TBI   SBIP    HKACVLBt. 


wvteli,  Of  Keep  awake  even  for  an  nour.  They  therefore  con 
gratulated  one  anothei  ou  finding  they  had  all  escaped,  and 
■et  out  about  seven  in  the  morning,  in  company  with  their 
guides.  They  soon  arrived  at  the  bank  of  a  river,  which  being 
perfectly  dry,  they  crossed  without  difficulty.  Shji'ily  afler 
they  came  to  another,  which  they  likewise  passed  in  a  few 
minutes.  They  reached  at  length  some  islands,  from  the  tops 
cf  which  they  discovered  several  beautiful  vales,  clothed  with 
long  dry  grass,  small  clusters  of  trees,  and  in  other  places 
forests  of  considerable  extent,  skirting  mountains  of  diffeient 
elevations.  In  the  course  of  the  day  they  were  i^^  great  dis- 
tress for  want  of  water,  and  lost  much  time  in  the  pursuit  of  it. 
Indeed  they  almost  despaired  of  finding  any,  as  the  earth  ap- 
peared so  dry  as  to  exhaust  all  the  brooks  they  had  visited 
Luckily,  however,  about  sun-set,  they  discovered  a  small  rivu- 
let that  ran  near  the  skirt  of  a  forest;  and,  although  the  water 
was  not  good,  yet  it  still  relieved  them  from  a  dreadful  situation. 

Having  travelled  this  day  about  thirty  miies,  they  deter- 
mined to  remain  where  they  were  during  the  night.  All 
hands,  therefore,  went  immediately  to  work,  for  the  purpose 
of  getting  fuel.  They  had  seen  no  animals  in  the  course  of 
the  day,  but  frequently  observed  the  dung  of  the  elephant  and 
the  rhinoceros. 

As  their  situation  for  this  night  was  as  dangerous  and  de- 
plorable as  on  the  preceding  one,  they  determined  to  enlarge 
their  fires,  as  the  only  means  of^  safety  they  had  lefl.  This 
was  accordingly  done,  and  they  had  the  pleasure  to  find,  when 
the  day  appeared,  that  not  an  individual  was  missing  of  the 
whole  party. 

They  proceeded  on  their  journey  shortly  afler  sun-rising, 
and,  as  they  were  to  travel  through  a  wood  of  considerable  ex- 
tent, the  guides  told  them  to  be  upon  their  guard,  as  they 
would  certainly  be  interrupted  by  wild  animals,  which  resort- 
ed to  that  place  in  prodigious  numbers.  They  determined, 
notwithstanding,  to  brave  all  dangers,  and  accordingly  pro- 
ceeded. They  indeed  escaped  the  lions,  the  panthers,  the 
rhinoceros,  the  elephant,  &c.  but,  unfortunately,  about  noon, 
came  up  with  a  horde  of  Caffrees,  that  were  distinguished  by 
their  own  countrymen,  as  a  bad  tribe.  They  spoke  at  first  to 
eome  Caffree  women,  who  behaved  kindly,  and  gave  them  one 
or  two  baskets  of  milk.  These  baskets  are  made  of  twigs, 
w  /e  so  closely  together  as  to  hold  water. 

Having  proceeded  but  a  short  way,  after  receiving  thia  iiK 
of  female  liberality.,  they  were  atopt  by  tweWe  Cafiree 


MNM   OV    TBI    IHIP    RIROULMl 

men,  armed  with  spearn,  nnd  rlothed  in  leopardi'  skins.    Theif 

Slid  8)  alarmed  at  the  appearance  of  these  savages,  flew  to 
e  banks  of  the  great  fish  river,  which  at  that  time  was  not 
more  than  two  hundred  yards  from  the  place  where  they  stood. 
They  repeatedly  called  on  them  to  return,  but  in  vain;  they 
immediately  crossed  the  bed  of  the  river,  which  was  dry,  and 
having  reached  the  opposite  shore  ascended  an  adjoining 
mountiiin  with  the  utmost  precipitation.  The  savages  bran- 
dished their  spears,  and  appeared  by  their  gestures  to  menace 
the  destruction  of  the  people.  They  could  not  understand 
what  they  said;  but  supposed  they  demanded  from  them  what- 
ever articles  they  possessed;  and  as  these  principally  consist- 
ed of  the  little  stock  of  provisions  they  had  lefl,  and  their 
clothes,  they  determined  not  to  part  with  either. 

One  of  the  captain's  people  had  a  knife,  which  was  slung 
over  his  shoulder.  A  CafTrec  perceiving  it,  made  a  snatch  at 
the  handle ,  but  the  owner  resisting  it,  he  1og«  his  hold.  Thiit 
BO  enraged  the  savage,  that  he  lifted  up  his  assagay  with  an 
apparent  intention  of  dispatching  the  object  of  his  resentment. 
At  the  moment  he  stood  in  this  attitude,  a  more  finished  pic 
ture  of  horror,  or  what  may  be  conceived  of  the  infernals,  was 
perhaps  never  seen  before.  The  savage  wore  a  leopard's 
skin;  his  black  countenance  bedaubed  with  red  ochre;  his 
eyes,  inflamed  with  rage,  appeared  as  if  starting  from  their 
sockets;  his  mouth  expanded,  and  his  teeth  gnashing  and  grin- 
ning with  all  the  fury  of  an  exasperated  demon.  He  was, 
however,  diverted  from  his  purpose,  and  dropped  the  assagay 

The  crew  instantly  proceeded  to  thb  river,  and  crossed  it  in 
pursuit  of  their  guides,  who  were  standing  on  the  summit  of 
the  mountain;  when  they  came  up,  the  guides  expressed  tht- 
utmost  satisfaction  at  their  escape.  They  gave  them  a  terri- 
ble description  of  the  people  they  had  just  lefl,  and  assurec 
them,  if  the  remainder  of  their  horde  had  not  been  hunting  at 
the  time  they  got  to  the  fish  river,  not  a  man  of  them  would 
have  survived.  They  also  declared,  that  they  were  the  most 
abominable  hordd   hvoughout  the  whole  of  Caffraria. 

Their  conversation  lasted  but  a  few  minutes,  when  they  re- 
pK>Ived  to  descend  the  mountain,  and  pursue  their  joujrnej 
Scarcely  had  they  put  themselves  in  motion,  when  a  scene  o< 
the  most  exten»ive  and  luxuriant  beauties  burst  in  a  momen 
on  their  view.  Thei  danger  they  had  just  escaped,  engagec< 
their  attention  so  entirely,  when  they  gained  the  summit,  that 
they  did  not  immediately  peiceive  the  world  of  beauties  tha* 
mow  lay  ipread  before  them.    All  stood  for  some  time  m  ■ 


>^,^"^- 


MM!  OP  TBI   IHIP   BBRCULBt 


•tate  of  rapture  and  amnrnment.  Thr>  country  was  mostly  i 
level,  yet  pleasingly  diversiHed  wiih  gentle  elevations,  on  thiQ 
tops  of  which  they  could  |>«!rc«'ive  t.lnin;)!*  of  the  mimosa  tree, 
and  the  sides  clothed  with  shruhs  «>!  various  denominations. 
A  Uiousand  rivulets  seemed  to  tneundi  r  through  thiH  second 
Eden;  frequently  skirting  or  appearing  to  encircle  a  planta 
tion  of  wood;  then  suddenly  taking  a  diH'erent  direction,  glid- 
ed through  a  plain  of  considerable  extent,  until  it  came  to  n 
gentle  declivity;  here  it  formed  a  natural  cascade,  and  then, 
following  its  course,  proceeded  in  an  endless  variety  through- 
out the  whole  of  the  country. 

As  they  stood  gazing  on  this  sylvan  scene,  they  perceived 
.  innumerable  herds  of  animals,  particularly  of  the  species  of 
the  gazelle,  scouring  over  the  plains;  some  darting  through 
the  woods,  others  feeding,  or  drinking  at  the  rivulets.  As 
far  as  the  eye  travelled  in  pursuit  of  new  beauties,  it  was 
most  amply  gratified,  until  at  length  the  whole  gradually  fad- 
ed on  the  view,  and  became  lost  on  ine  horizon.  They  were 
so  wrapt  in  ecstacy  on  this  landscape,  that  they  forgot  their 
danger,  and  remained  too  long  upon  the  mountain.  They  at 
ength  descended,  and  proceeded  on  their  journey. 

Before  the  day  closed  they  fixed  on  a  place  where  they  were 
io  remain  until  the  morning.  It  was  near  a  wood,  mostly 
composed  of  that  kind  of  thorn  already  mentioned.  Severai 
of  these«they  immediately  cut,  not  only  for  the  purpose  of  fuel, 
but  to  form  a  barricade  or  defence  against  the  wild  animals 
during  the  night. 

Atler  completing  their  fortification,  lighting  the  fires,  and 
supping  in  the  besi  manner  »jossible,  they  lay  down  to  rest; 
but  their  sleep  was  constantly  disturbed  during  the  night,  by 
.  a  herd  of  elephants  brushing  through  the  wood,  passing  and 
returning  almost  every  momei.l.  Had  not  the  fence  been 
erected  the  preceding  evening,  they  would  in  all  probability, 
have  been  trampled  to  death  by  these  monstrous  animals. 
Fhcy  had  the  good  fortune  hoWevei  to  escape;  and,  about 
levcn  the  next  morning,  proceeded  on  their  journey,  in  com- 
pany with  the  guides. 

They  travelled  this  day  through  a  delightful  country.  The 
land,  in  some  places,  seemed  to  be  composed  of  a  red  and 
yellow  clay,  and  the  valleys  appeared  covered  with  a  very 
thick  and  long  grass,  but  not  a  sign  of  agriculture  was  to  be 
observed.  In  the  course  of  the  day,  they  perceived  a  few  oe- 
serted  huts,  one  of  which  they  entered,  but  paid  severely  io^ 
their  curiosity;  as  those  who  ventured  in,  were  in  a  mooMD.'* 
cov«r«d  •Blirely  with  fleas. 


mmmmmmmmmm. 


\ 


I 


to 


LOBS   OF   THI   SHIP   HBRCCLIB. 


Water  was  foun<^  aomctimcs,  but  it  was  brackish,  although 
they  werB  at  least  50  miles  from  the  sea.  They  kept  at  this 
distance  during  most  of  the  journey 

They  brought  up  for  the  night,  afler  traveling  about  35 
miles,  at  the  skirt  of  a  small  forest,  and  provided  fuel,  with  s 
temporary  defence,  as  before.  The  provisions  being  nearli 
exhausted,  they  were  obliged  to  eat  spaiingly,  although  moflU 
of  them  wen!  ravenously  hungry. 

Aboui  seven  in  the  morning,  they  again  set  out;  tut  man) 
of  the  people  dropt  astern  in  the  course  of  the  day,  being 
almost  won  out  with  fatigue.  In  this  situation  it  was  thought 
advisable  for  such  of  the  party  as  could  travel,  to  get  forward, 
and  provide  a  place  v»here  wood  and  wa  er  could  be  had.  The 
i^.aptain  was  of  this  company;  and  that  ui!  those  who  remained 
behind  might  find  their  way,  lie  ordered  the  Caffree  guides  to 
set  fire  to  the  long  grass,  whic-i  served  during  the  night  as  a 
poiut  of  direction.  He  was  likewise  in  expectation  of  their 
coming  up  before  the  morning;  but  was  sadly  disappointed. 
They  remained  stationary  until  ihc  sun  appeared,  and  then 
went  on 

Not  one  of  the  people  lefl  behind  appeared  this  morning; 
but  the  guides  were  of  opinion  they  would  reach  a  Christian 
settlement  in  the  course  of  tlic  day,  where  assistance  would 
certainly  be  had.  This  intelligence  gave  them  new  spirhs; 
and  they  traveled  with  an  unusual  alertness,  until  they  came 
to  a  farm  house.  Flere  relief  was  expected,  but  none  was  to 
be  found:  the  whole  place  had  been  deserted  for  some  time; 
they  were  obliged,  therefore,  to  sleep  again  in  the  air,  and 
leave  their  absent  and  miserable  companions  to  all  the  horrors 
of  the  desart. 

This  was  not  a  night  of  sleepj  but  lamentation.  They  sat 
round  the  fire,  and  spoke  of  nothing  but  their  absent  mess- 
mates ard  their  unforf.unat?  situation.  They  were  lell  de- 
fenceless, without  tbod,  hardly  able  to  stand  erect,  and  in  a 
country  where  the  ferocious  animals  were  mo  I  numerous. 
They  were  likewise  every  hour  in  danger  of  an  attack  fror/i 
the  Boshis-me:i,  who  swarm  in  these  parts,  and  destroy  the 
unhappy  object  of  their  vengeance  by  arrows  that  are  poison- 
ed. Tht  sensibility  of  the  people  on  this  mclancnoly  occa- 
■ion,  displayed  the  genuine  character  of  a  sailor.  Men  who 
could  t  ave  all  vhe  dangers  of  the  tempest,  and  face  death 
wftaout  a  trembling  nerve,  oven  in  the  cannon's  mouth,  could 
not,  however,  speak  of  iheir  distressed  and  absent  brethreo 
without  a  tew.    Their  own  miafortuaes  were  forgotten  \  an4 


.^aufjBiia.j_y:tia-j-ij 


..* 


LOfi  or  TEt  aaip  HiacuLBf. 


ri 


their  only  consideration,  during  the  night,  was  their  unhappj^ 
messmates,  whom  they  never  expected  to  behold  again. 

They  remained  here  for  more  than  an  hour  after  the  rising 
of  the  sun.  Out  of  sixty,  that  composed  the  party,  whon  they 
departed  from  the  beach,  thirty-six  were  so  maimed  and  worn 
down  by  fatigue,  as  to  he  unuhle  to  travel,  these  remained  ic 
the  desart,  if  not  already  destroyed;  and  had  no  hope  of  pre- 
fervation,  but  from  the  exertions  of  the  party  who  wore  able 
to  proceed;  the  guides  were  now  certain  that  a  Christian 
habitation  was  at  hand.  The  last  they  saw  had  been  destroyed 
by  the  CafTrees  during  the  war  with  the  colonists.  It  was, 
therefore,  determined  to  proceed  to  a  place  where  relief  could 
be  obtained*  with  every  possible  dispatch.  The  people  pro- 
ceeded wifK  redoubled  energy;  the  salvation  of  their  com- 
panions V  *\kG  incentive,  and  that  consideration  banished 
every  ide    c     anger  or  fatigue 

Thej'   I  avcled  without  a  single  halt  for  about  three  hours 
wh**!!  One  of  the  guides  who  was  advanced,  roared  out,  in 
*'  .nsport   of  joy,   ^'  I   see  a   Hottentot,  attending  a  flock  o* 
jheep."     It  was  the  voice  of  a  seraph  proceeding  from  a  Cat 
free.     They  ran  to  the  place  where  he  stood,  and  at  a  consido 
rable  distance,  observed  a  nian  attending  a  flock  of  at   leas* 
four  thousand.     They  moved  in  a  body  towards  the  shepherd, 
who  seemed  at  first  to  be  alarmed:  but  perceiving  they  wore 
mostly  whites,  and  unarmed,  he  stopt  until  they  came  up      The 
captain  requested  of  him  to  direct  them  the  nearest  way  to  the 
first  settlement,  which  he  did,  and  at  the  same  time  informed 
him,  the  proprietor  was  a  good  man;  the  distance,  he  said,  wan 
about  three   hours.      The   pleasure  difliised   throughout   the 
party,   on  receiving  this   information,  it  is  impossible  to  do 
scribe.     The  captain  embraced  this  opportunity,  and  went  on; 
a  general  joy  succeeded,  and  who  should   be  foremost,  the 
urincipal  consideration  ♦     '* 

At  length — ecstatic  reflection — they  came  within  sight  of  a 
Christian  farm,  "  Come  on,  my  lads,"  said  the  captain, 
'*  we  are  safely  moored  at  last;  and  our  peop  e,  in  the  desarts, 
^ill  be  soon  relieved."  Some  tottered  as  they  stood,  over- 
come by  joy,  and  could  not  move;  others  appeared  as  in  a 
trance,  until  at  length  about  ten  followed  him,  and  they  enter- 
ed the  house  of  Jan  du  Pliesies. 

Fortunately,  this  was  a  settler  of  the  best  order,  about  sixty 
years  old,  born  in  Holland,  but  had  resided  in  Africa  for 
many  years;  humane,  generous,  and  possessing  a  heart  that 
appeared  to  bo  the  constant  mansion  of  a  virtuous  sympathK 


wmm 


I 


h 


It 


LOiS   Ot   THE    SHIP    HERCULta 


His  cottage  was  formed  of  clay,  thatched  with  a  kind  of  reed 
and  furnished  with  a  few  stools,  a  table,  and  some  kitchen 
utensils.  His  family  consisted  of  five  or  six  sons  their  wives 
and  children,  together  with  a  daughter,  making  in  all  about 
twenty  people.  His  stock,  however,  was  considerable,  not 
less  than  twelve  thousand  sheep,  and  one  thousand  oxen 

After  the  alarm,  which  their  ^irst  appearance  occasioned^ 
had  subsided,  the  captain  told  the  story  of  their  melancholy 
disaster,  and  implored  his  assistance  for  the  relief  of  the  un- 
happy people  who  were  left  behind.  This  good  man  could 
not  listen  to  the  relation  without  discovering  by  his  counte- 
nance the  tenderness  of  his  nature.  His  face,  which  was 
naturally  pallid,  became,  at  certain  intervals,  of  a  crimson  hue; 
these  emotions  appeared  as  the  effervescence  of  sensibility, 
and  to  exhibit,  in  glowing  colours,  the  complexion  of  virtue. 

As  no  time,  he  said,  should  be  lost  in  preparing  for  the  re- 
lief of  the  unhappy  people,  he  immediately  directed  two  of 
his  sons  to  harness  eight  oxen  to  a  waggon.  His  orders  were 
obeyed  with  a  cheerfulness  that  evinced  an  hereditary  good- 
ness, and  that  it  had  descended,  unimpaired,  from  the  sire  to 
his  children.  They  were  directed  to  travel  all  night;  and 
the  guides  described  the  spot  so  minutely,  as  to  avoid  all  pos- 
sibility of  a  mistake:  The  waggon  wis  soon  out.  of  sight,  aii^l 
they  all  sat  down  to  partake  of  a  shtiep,  which  their  liberal 
host  had  ordered  to  be  killed  (oi  their  entertainment. 

When  the  meal  was  over,  the  worthy  colonist  began  to  in- 
terrogate them  respecting  their  journey  through  Caffraria. 
He  could  not  possibly  conceive,  he  said,  how  the  Tambociiis 
could  be  induced  to  suffer  their  departure.  They  were  such 
a  horrid  race,  that  nothing  was  so  gratifying  to  their  nature  as 
the  shedding  of  human  blood.  The  Boshis-men  he  also  ob- 
sei  ved,  were  so  perpetually  on  the  look-out,  that  he  was  amaz- 
ed at  their  traveling  with  any  degree  of  security;  but  when 
he  considered  that  they  came  through  a  part  of  Caffraria,  so 
infested  with  carnivorous  animals,  that  people  couM  never 
travel  safely  but  in  parties,  and  well  armed,  he  declared  tie' 
being  then  in  his  house  appeared  to  him  a  kind  of  miracle 

The  captain  took  this  opportunity  of  giving  our  worthy  host 
a  proper  idea  of  the  Tambochis.  His  mind  had  beoi'  poison- 
ed by  some  of  his  depredating  neighbours,  and  never  going  on 
such  parties  himself,  had  entertained  these  prejudices  without 
having  an  opportunity  of  knowing  the  contiary.  He  appear 
ed  much  pleased  at  the  conduct  of  the  Tambochis,  and  dcclar 
ed  this  circumstance  alone  would  relieve  him  from  many  houri 
of  uneaaineM. 


LOtt   Of    THft    911 1 r    HfeRCaf.Ht. 


ts 


»f  reed 

fitchen 

wivoa 

about 

e,  not 


so 


Hill  sequestered  mansion  w&n  nearly  surrounded  by  tree«, 
on  which  were  hung  to  dry,  the  skins  ot  lions,  tigers,  panthers, 
and  other  destructive  animals,  killed  in  the  vicinity  of  his  own 
habitation.  The  carcasses  of  two  enormous  creatures  were 
observed  lying  near  the  door,  which  had  the  appearance  of 
being  recently  destroyed.  They  were  two  rhinoceroses  that 
the  wrraer's  sons  had  killed,  but  the  day  before,  on  their  own 
land.  This  gave  rise  to  a  narrative  respecting  these  animals, 
which  the  good  man  related  with  great  circumspection,  and 
which  appeared  very  .extraordinary. 

"  These  creatures,  said  the  farme*-,  are  more  savage,  and 
infinitely  more  to  be  dreaded,  than  any  other  animal  of  the 
desarts.  Even  the  lion,  when  he  perceives  a  rhinoceros,  will 
fly  from  him  on  the  instant.  I  had  a  proof  of  this,  said  he, 
about  two  years  ago.  As  I  was  traversing  my  lands  in  the 
morning,  I  perceived  a  lion  enter  a  thicket,  about  the  distance 
of  half  a  mile  from  the  place  where  I  stood.  In  a  few  minutes 
afler  I  observed  a  second,  then  a  third,  and  a  fourth  came; 
they  seemed  to  follow  one  another  at  their  leisure,  and,  in  less 
than  an  hour,  I  counted  nine  that  entered  the  same  wood. 
Never  having  seen  so  many  of  the  same  species  together,  I 
was  desirous  to  know  the  event  of  their  meeting,  and  I  con- 
cealed myself  foi  the  purpose.  After  waiting  for  rather  more 
than  an  hour  in  my  lurking  place,  without  either  seeing  any  of 
them,  or  hearing  any  noise  from  the  quarter  waere  they  lay, 
1  began  to  despair  of  having  my  curiosity  in  the  least  gratified. 
At  length,  I  perceived  a  rhinoceros  of  uncommon  magnitude 
approach  the  wood.  He  stood  motionless  for  about  five 
minutes,  when  he  arrived  at  a  small  distance  from  the  thicket, 
then  tossed  up  his  nose,  and  at  last  scented  the  animals  that 
lay  concealed.  In  an  instant  I  saw  him  dart  into  the  wood, 
and  in  the  space  of  about  five  minutes  afterwards  I  observed 
all  the  lions  scamper  away  in  different  directions,  and  appa- 
rently in  the  greatest  consternation.  The  rhinoceros  beat 
about  the  wood  in  pursuit  of  his  enemies  for  a  considerable 
time;  but  not  findin<:;  any,  he  broke  cover  at  last  and  appeared 
on  the  plain.  He  then  looked  around  him,  and,  enraged  at  his 
disappointment,  began  tearing  up  the  earth,  and  discovered 
every  sign  of  madness  and  desperation.  I  remained  quietly 
in  my  retreat  until  the  animal  disappeared,  and  then  returned 
to  ray  house.'' 

The  travelers  dlept  this  night  on  sacks,  which  their  host 
had  arranged  for  their  accommodation  At  breakfast  on  the 
iucceeding  morning,  th«>ir  benefactor  entertained  them  with 
TOIm  I.  4 


I 


t4 


Lots   OP  TfiB    SHIP   HfeRCULlt 


f 


n 


some  wery  interesting  observHtioLs  respecting  the  countrjr 
where  he  resided.  He  particularly  stated  the  hardships, 
which  the  colonists  endured  from  lh«  restrictive  orders  and 
persecuting  conduct  of  the  government  at  the  Cape.  "  I  have 
lead  ore,  said  he,  on  my  own  farms,  so  near  the  surface  that 
we  can  scrape  it  up  with  our  hands,  and  yet  we  dare  not  touch 
it.  If  we  were  known  to  melt  and  use  a  single  pound  of  it,  we 
should  be  all  transported  for  life  to  Batavia.^' 

Before  they  had  finished  their  meal,  their  benefactor  dis- 
patched messengers  to  his  neighboring  friends,  desiring  theii 
aasistam  e  to  get  the  c-ew  to  the  Cape.  Several  of  them 
came  and  behaved  with  the  grcvitcst  tenderness  and  liberality. 
They  went  so  far  as  to  say,  that  such  as  were  desirous  of  re- 
maining in  the  country  until  they  had  perfectly  recovered, 
should  be  accommodated  at  their  houses;  and  as  they  travel- 
ed once  in  every  year  to  the  Cape,  they  would  take  the  first 
opportunity  of  conveying  them  thither.  The  captain  thanked 
them  for  their  kindness,  but  declined  accepting  their  proposal, 
as  his  intention  was  to  make  the  Cape  with  every  possible 
expedition. 

This  conversation  was  interrupted  by  a  Hottentot  servant 
who  ran  into  the  house  and  declared  the  ''  waggon  was  in 
«ght."  All  flew  to  meet  it,  and  the  captain  had  the  heartfelt 
consolation  of  perceiving  twenty-three  of  his  unfortunate 
people,  chiefly  lascars,  laying  down  in  the  machine.  On  their 
arrival,  the  two  sons  of  du  Pliesies  said,  they  found  them  near 
a  wood  perfectly  resigned  to  their  fate,  having  given  up  all 
hopes  of  relief.  The  preceding  day,  thirteen  of  their  com- 
panions separated  from  them;  but  where  they  had  strayed  to  not 
one  of  them  could  even  guess  at.  These  poor  fellows  after  en- 
during for  a  long  time  the  most  unexampled  miseries,  ail  arriv- 
ed in  safety  at  the  Cape. 

They  were  now  forty-seven  in  number,  and  as  they  were  to 
proceed  in  waggons,  such  as  were  ultiicted  with  sore  feet,  oi 
weak  through  hunger  and  fatigue,  would  not  again  be  sepa- 
rated from  their  companions. 

Thcfir  benevolent  host  now  provided  them  with  a  waggon 
and  two  sets  of  o.xen,  each  set  containing  eight.  They  were 
occasionally  to  relieve  each  other  on  the  way,  and  two  oi 
three  Hottentot  servants  were  appointed  as  drivers,  and  to 
take  charge  of  the  relaying  cattle.  One  of  the  tarmer's  sons, 
completely  armed,  was  likewise  directed  to  attend  th^m,  and 
the  waggon  was  store!  with  provision  and  water  sufllicieat  un 
ti*  they  arrived  at  the  next  settlement. 


1.M1  or  TBI    «HIP   UVRCULSl 


Yi 


They  took  their  departure  from  the  hospitable  mansion  of 
the  benevolent  du  Pliesies  on  the  morning  of  the  second  of 
July.  The  guard  was  perpetually  on  the  watch,  lest  the  Bo- 
shis-men  or  the  wild  an'mals  might  dart  upon  them  unperceiv- 
ed.  About  eight  in  the  ovening,  however,  they  reached  the 
second  farm  in  perfect  security.  The  distance  traveled  was 
about  thirty-five  miles  this  duy^  and  ail  the  people  in  good 
spirits. 

The  owner,  whose  name  was  Cornelius  Englebrock,  they 
found  also  a  beneficent. character.  His  cottage  was  poor  in- 
deed; but  all  that  he  could  afford  he  gave  with  cheerfulness. 
His  neighbour's  letter  was  produced,  which  he  read  with 
great  attention,  and  then  suid,  *'  my  friend  is  a  good  man,  and 
1  always  valued  him;  but  you  wanted  no  other  recommen- 
dation to  my  poor  services,  than  your  misfortunes." 

They  remained  here  during  the  night,  after  partaking  of  n 
frugal  repast  which  their  host  had  provided,  and  which  was 
given  with  many  innocent  apologies  for  its  scantiness. 

Before  their  departure  on  the  ensuing  morning,  the  farmer 
generously  presented  them  with  nme  sheep.  The  poor  man 
lamented  he  could  not  let  them  have  a  morsel  of  bread.  "  We 
live,  (said  he),  the  year  round  chiefly  on  mutton  and  game; 
but  seldom  enjoy  the  luxury  of  a  loaf"  He  insisted,  how- 
ever, on  the  captain's  taking  the  sheep,  which  he  accepted 
with  many  thanks,  and  they  then  departed  on  their  journey. 

During  the  four  or  five  succeeding  days,  they  traveled  op 
from  house  to  house,  jjenerallv  at  fifteen  or  sixteen  hours  dis- 
tance  from  each  other,  and  were  received  at  all  of  them  with 
a  disinterested  hospitality.  These  occurrences  are  related 
with  a  scrupulous  attention  to  fidelity,  because  the  colonists, 
without  distinction,  have  been  fre<iuently  represented  as  a 
ferocious  banditti,  scarcely  to  be  kept  within  the  pale  ot  au- 
thority. 

During  several  days  trial  they  could  get  but  little  bread, 
and  not  much  wuter.  The  countries  were  alternately  hill 
and  dale,  and  often  afforded  the  most  romantic  prospects. 
They  frequently  perceived  vast  quantities  of  wolves,  and  often 
such  droves  of  that  species  of  deer  which  the  ^armers  call 
spring  buck,  that  one  fiock  alone  could  not  contain  less  than 
from  twelve  to  fourteen  thousand.  Indeed  many  of  tde  settlers 
said,  they  had  seen  double  tha  number  at  one  time,  and  fre- 
quontly  killed  three  at  a  single  shot.  Our  travelers  likewisv 
saw  vast  quantities  of  guinea  fowl,  which  after  a  sbowor  04 
iaui|  are  easily  caught  by  the  farmers'  dogs. 


u 


t%9§  or   THB   SHIP   HBRCULM 


llie  cebra,  or  wild  ass,  is  common  in  these  advanced  eo^ 
onies,  and  many  of  them  were  seen — ostriches  likewise  nu- 
merous. They  had  such  plenty  of  venison  at  the  houses  where 
they  stopped,  that  their  stock  of  nine  shnep,  furnished  by 
honest  £nglebrock,  was  diminished  but  three  in  the  course 
oi  six  days. 

From  the  8th  to  the  16th  ctf  7jne,  their  journey  was  net 
interrupted  by  any  disagreepble  occurrence.  The  countries 
through  which  they  pasaeo.  displayed  at  every  mile  a  new 
change  of  beauties.  The  mountains  were  in  many  places  of 
stupendous  height,  and  the  valleys,  decorated  with  wood,  were 
astonishingly  fertile  in  vegetable  productions.'  One  of  the 
most  extensive  of  these  valleys,  took  them  no  less  than  three 
days  and  a  half  in  passing.  It  is  called  by  the  settlers  Long 
CluflT,  and  affords,  perhaps,  as  many  romantic  scenes  as  can  be 
found  in  any  spot  of  the  same  extent  on  the  face  of  the  earth. 

The  hills  for  seventy  or  eighty  miles  run  parallel  to  each 
other.  The  lands  between  are  wonderfully  rich,  and  produce 
vast  quantities  of  a  plant  similar  in  its  smell  and  taste  to  our 
thyme.  On  this  fragrant  herb  are  fed  immense  quantities  of 
sheep  and  cattle;  they  devour  it  v.'.h  great  eagerness,  and  it 
gives  the  mutton  a  flavour  so  like  our  venison,  that  an  epi- 
cure might  be  deceived  in  the  taste.  The  valleys  are  generally 
level  from  four  to  eight  miles  in  breadth,  and  in  several  places 
intersected  with  rivulets,  on  the  borders  of  which^are  frequent 
ly  perceived  whole  groves  of  the  aloe  tree. 

On  or  about  the  fourteenth,  they  reached  the  settlement  of 
an  old  and  blind  man.  lie  had  a  large  family,  and  appeared 
to  possess  a  comfortable  independence.  When  he  heard  the 
story  of  the  travelers,  the  ^ood  farmer  burst  into  tears,  and 
ordered  a  glass  of  brandy  to  be  given  to  each  of  the  crew 
Aflt^r  this  unusual  and  cheering  repast,  he  directed  some 
mutton  to  be  dehvered  to  the  people,  and  gave  them  a  pot 
to  dress  it  in.  He  then  requested  of  the  captain  to  mess  wiih 
the  family,  which  was  ccniplied  with,  and  when  supper  was 
ended,  thi^  worthy  creature  said  he  was  so  pleased  with  their 
escaping  the  dangers  of  the  sea  and  the  Caffrees,  that  he 
would  celebrate  the  meeting  with  a  song.  He  immediately 
began  and  sung  with  the  voice  of  a  Stent  or.  A  general  plau- 
dit succeeded;  and  then  their  honest  benefactor  said,  *^  Now, 
captain,  I  have  a  favour  to  ask  of  you.  Pray  desire  all  youi 
people  to  sing."  It  was  impossible  to  help  laughing  at  thia 
whimaical  request;  but  it  was  thought  good-huroour  at  such  a 
Boiaent  should  not  be   interrupted;   therefore   an  Americas 


IMM  OF   THB   tUir   HSRCULSA 


T7 


sailor  was  desired  to  sing  one  of  his  best  songs  He  nr 
sooner  began  than  all  the  lascars  tuned  iheir  pipes;  this  set 
a-going  the  Swedes,  Portuguese,  Dutchmen,  and  ail  the  crew; 
each  party  sang  in  their  several  languages,  and  at  the  same 
time.'  Such  a  concert  was  never  heard  before;  but  the  liberal 
and  merry  old  colonist  was  so  entertained  with  their  music 
that  he  had  nearly  dropt  from  his  chair  in  a  fit  of  laughter. 

The  captain  was  provided  this  night  with  a  sheep's  skin,  on 
which  he  rested  under  the  roof  of  the  farmer's  cottage;  but 
^here  was  not  room  for  all,  and  therefore  most  of  the  poor  fel- 
lows were  obliged  to  sleep  in  the  air.  A  similar  inconve- 
nience had  happened  so  frequently  since  they  reached  the 
colonies,  that  they  determined  to  separate. 

On  the  morning  of  the  17th  they  separated,  and  the  captain 
took  with  him  his  chief  and  third  mate,  together  with  one  or 
two  more  who  were  solicitous  to  accompany  him.  The 
country,  as  they  advanced,  increased  in  population;  and  the 
farm-houses  were,  in  several  places,  not  more  than  two  hours 
distance  from  each  other.  Many  of  them  were  beautifully 
situated,  and  the  lands  produced  grain,  oranges,  figs,  and 
lemons  in  abundance.  Their  grapes  likewise  appeared  to 
flourish,  and  supplied  them  with  wine  and  brandies,  which  they 
vended  chiefly  at  the  Cape.  Vast  herds  of  deer,  and  part- 
ridges out  of  all  number,  were  seen,  and  immense  tracts  of 
land  covered  entirely  with  aloe  trees. 

From  the  ^"^th  to  the  21st,  they  traveled  a  mountainous 
country;  but  the  valleys  constantly  presented  farms  and  habi- 
tations where  the  industry  of  the  husbandman  was  amply  re- 
warded The  flocks  of  sheep  were  prodigious;  but  the  cattU 
were  not  so  numerous,  nor  in  such  good  condition  as  those 
segn  in  the  more  advanced  colonies. 

On  the  2i2d  they  arrived  at  Zwellingdam,  and  proceeded  to 
the  landorse-house.  The  landorse  is  the  chief  man  of  the 
place,  and  his  settlement  consists  of  about  sixteen  or  eighteen 
houses,  surrounded  by  a  delightful  country,  and  producing 
grain,  vegetables  for  culinary  purposes,  grapes  and  fruits  of 
almost  every  description. 

This  gentleman  gave  them  a  very  hospitable  reception,  and 
the  next  morning  furnished  the  captain  with  a  horse  and  guide, 
to  conduct  him  to  his  brother's-in-Iaw;  that  nothing  might  be 
omitted  on  his  part  to  secure  a  favorable  reception  at  the  Cape, 
the  captain's  worthy  host  gave  them  a  very  kind  letter  to  nil 
friend  General  Craig,  commander  in  chief,  acquainting  hiii 
irith  the  loss  of  the  ship,  and  the  miseries  endured  bvtbe  crew 


f^nrmfs 


U 


LOM  OP   TBI   SHIF   HBRCVLIl. 


ui  their  travels  through  the  desart.  lie  also  requested  the 
general  would  do  thorn  every  kiiidiiesa  in  his  power,  which  he 
Would  acknowledge  as  an  obligation  conferred  upon  himself. 

They  arrived  at  the  settlement  of  Johannes  Brinch  at  Stalleu 
Bush,  on  the  third  or  fourth  day,  afler  traveling  through  a 
country  highly  cultivated,  and  producing  immense  forests  oi 
the  aloe-tree.  The  farmers  lived  here  in  aHluence,  and  the 
crew  continued  to  experience  the  most  liberal  and  kind  atten- 
tion during  the  remainder  of  their  journey. 

On  their  arrival  at  Stallen  Bush,  the  captain  waited  on  Mr 
Brii.ch  whose  reception  can  never  be  mentioned  but  in  terms 
of  the  most  fervent  gratitude  and  esteem.  His  residence  is 
one  of  those  delightful  places  which,  from  its  natural  situation 
and  fertility,  wraps  the  beholder,  the  moment  he  sees  it,  in  an 
ecstacy.  The  vines  there  are  reared  with  great  attention,  and 
are  highly  productive.  Grain,  vegetation,  and  fruits,  yield 
abundant  crops;  and  camphor-trees  of  very  large  dimensions 
thrive  also  in  the  settlement.  Indeed,  the  whole  settlement 
seemed  to  be  so  precisely  what  it  should  be,  that  any  altera- 
tioD  must  be  a  deformity.  The  people  here  dress  well,  but 
nearer  the  English  than  the  Dutch  style.  They  have  nothing 
of  that  sullen  taciturnity  belonging  to  the  character  of  the  Hol- 
lander; but  are  sprightly  and  good  humored. 

*'  I  remained  two  days  (says  the  captain)  under  the  roof  of 
this  liberal  and  benevolent  gentleman.  He  pressed  me  to  stay 
longer;  but  I  was  desirous  of  reaching  the  Cape,  and  there* 
fore  declined  his  hospitable  invitation.  In  the  morning,  there- 
fore, he  provided  me  with  a  horse  and  ^uide,  and  I  took  my 
departure  from  Stallen  Bush,  on  the  30th,  in  the  morning. 
Our  journey  was  but  short,  as  we  arrived  the  same  evening  at 
the  Cape  of  Good  Hope;  and  although  emaciated  in  my  framoj 
vet  in  tilerable  health.''  ..'.,' 


•■■CKIPTION   Of    A    atOEM   At   tlA. 


It 


DESCRIPTION  OF  A  STORM  AT  SEA 

We  continued  our  cruize  along  the  coast  until  we  had  run 
lown  into  the  Bay  of  Arcapoon,  where  we  captured  two  or 
three  vessels  and  obliged  many  more  to  run  on  shure.  And 
here  we  had  an  instance  how  very  important  it  is  that  a  captain 
of  a  man  of  war  should  be  a  good  sailor,  and  have  his  ship  in 
«uch  a  discipline  as  to  oe  strictly  obeyed  by  his  crew.  I 
aeard  the  officers  unanimously  assert,  after  the  danger  wa;- 
over,  that  nothing  but  the  presence  of  mind  which  was  shown 
by  Ci^otain  Savage,  could  have  saved  the  ship  and  crew.  We 
had  chased  a  convoy  of  vessels  to  the  bottom  of  the  bay  ;  the 
wind  was  very  fresh  when  we  hauled  off,  after  running  them 
on  shore,  and  the  surf  on  the  beach  even  at  that  time  was  so 
great,  that  they  were  certain  to  go  to  pieces  before  they  could 
be  got  afloat  again.  We  were  obliged  to  double  reef  the  top- 
sails as  soon  as  we  hauled  to  the  wind,  and  the  weather  look- 
ed very  threatening.  In  an  hour  afterwards,  the  whole  sky 
was  covered  with  one  black  cloud  which  sunk  so  low,  as  net  .- 
ly  to  touch  our  mast  heads,  and  a  tremendous  sea,  which  t  p- 
peared  to  have  risen  up  almost  by  magic,  rolled  in  upon  '  s, 
setting  the  vessel  on  a  dead  lee  shore.  As  the  night  clo;  3d 
in,  it  blew  a  dreadful  gale,  and  the  ship  was  nearly  bui  ed 
with  the  press  of  canvass  which  she  was  obliged  to  carry,  .01 
had  we  sea  room,  we  should  have  been  lying-to  under  stwrm 
staysails  ;  but  we  were  forced  to  carry  on  at  all  risks,  hat 
we  might  clear  off  shore.  The  seas  broke  over  us  as  we  lav 
in  the  trough,  deluging  us  with  water  from  the  forecastle  aft  t*- 
the  binnacles  ;  and  very  often  as  the  ship  descended  witti  a 
plunge,  it  was  with  such  force  that  I  really  thought  she  would 
divide  in  half  with  the  violenceof  the  shock.  Double  brecch- 
ings  were  rove  on  the  guns,  and  they  were  further  secured 
with  tackles,  aiul  strong  cleats  nailed  behind  the  trunnions, 
for  we  heeled  over  so  much  when  we  lurched,  that  the  guns* 
were  wholly  supported  by  the  breechings  and  tackles,  and  had 
one  of  them  broke  loose,  it  must  have  broken  right  througli 
the  lee  side  of  the  ship,  and  she  must  have  foundered.  The 
captain,  firs;  lieutenant,  and  most  of  the  officers,  remained  on 
deck  during  the  whole  of  the  night ;  and  really,  what  with  the 
howling  of  the  wind,  the  violence  of  the  rain,  the  washing  of 
h9  water9  about  the  decks,  the  working  of  the  chain  punips, 


ipunaiiip 


pitoKimoif  or  A  rroRM  at  ma. 


and  the  eremking  and  groaning  of  the  timbers,  I  .bought  we 
rouft  ineyitably  be  lost ;  and  I  said  my  prayers  at  least  a  dozen 
times  during  the  night,  for  I  felt  it  impossible  to  sro  to  bed.  I 
had  oflen  wished,  out  of  curiosity,  that  T  i.iight  bo  in  &  gale  of 
wind,  but  I  little  thought  it  waa  to  have  bet'u  a  scene  of  this 
description,  or  anything  half  so  dreadful.  What  made  it  more 
appalhng  was,  that  we  were  on  a  lee  shore,  and  the  consulta- 
tions of  the  captain  and  officers,  and  the  eagerness  with  which 
they  ooked  out  for  daylight,  told  us  that  we  had  other  dan- 
gers to  encounter  besides  the  storm.  At  last  the  morning 
broke,  and  the  look-out  man  upon  the  gangway  called  out 
"  Land  on  the  lee  beam."  I  perceived  the  master  dash  his 
fist  against  the  hammock  rails,  as  if  with  vexation,  and  walk 
away  without  saying  a  word,  and  look  very  grave. 

"  Up,  there,  Mr.  Wilson,"  said  the  captain  to  the  second 
lieutenant,  "  and  see  how  far  the  land  tends  forward,  and 
whether  you  can  distinguish  the  point."  The  second  lieuten- 
ant went  up  the  main  rigging,  and  pointed  with  his  hand  to 
about  two  points  betbre  the  beam.  ^'  Do  you  see  two  hillocks 
inland?"  '  v      .; 

"Yes,  sir,"  replied  the  second  lieutenant 

"  Then,  it  is  so,"  observed  the  captain  ♦  the  master,  '*  and 
if  we  weather  it  we  shall  have  more  sea  ro  i  Keep  her  full, 
and  let  her  go  through  the  water  ;  do  you  hear,  quarter- 
master ? " 

"Aye,  aye,  sir."       ;•  - 

"  Thus,  and  no  nearer,  my  man.  Ease  her  with  a  spoke  or 
two  when  she  sends  ;  but  be  careful,  she  Ml  take  th«  wheel 
out  of  your  hands." 

It  really  was  a  very  awful  sight.  When  the  ship  was  in  the 
trough  of  the  sea,  you  could  distinguish  nothing  but  tumultu- 
ous water  ;  but  when  she  was  borne  up  on  the  summit  of  the 
enormous  waves,  you  then  looked  down,  as  it  were,  upon  a 
low,  sandy  coast,  close  to  you,  and  covered  with  foam  and 
breakers.  "  She  behaves  nobly,"  observed  the  captain,  step- 
ping aft  to  the  binnacle,  and  looking  at  the  compass  •  "  if  the 
wind  does  not  oaffle  us,  we  shall  weather."  The  captain  had 
scarcely  time  to  make  the  observation,  when  the  sails  shivered 
and  flapped  like  ihunder.  "  Up  with  the  helm  :  what  are  you 
about,  quarter-master  .' " 

"  The  wind  has  headed  us,  sir,"  replied  the  quarter-master, 
coolly. 

The  captain  and  master  remained  at  the  binnacle,  watching 
the  compast;  and  when  the  sails  were  again  full,  she  bii3 


OMCBIPTION   OW   A   ftORM   AT   •!▲. 


gl 


broken  off  two  points,  and  the  point  of  land  was  only  a  little 
on  the  lee  bow. 

"We  muBt  wear  her  round,  Mr.  Falcon.  Hands,  wear 
■hip—  ready,  oh,  ready." 

**  She  has  come  up  again,"  cried  the  master  who  was  at  the 
binnacle. 

"  Hold  fast  there  a  minute.     How*8  her  head  now  ?" 

"  N.  N.  E.,  as  she  was  before  she  broke  off,  sir.  ** 

"  Pipe,  belay,"  said  the  captain.  '*  Falcon,"  continued  he 
**  if  she  breaks  off  again,  we  may  have  no  room  to  wear;  indeed, 
♦here  is  so  little  room  now,  that  I  must  run  the  risk.  Which 
cable  was  ranged  last  night — the  best  bower  .'" 

"Yes,  sir." 

"  Jump  down,  then,  and  see  it  double  bitted  and  stoppered 
at  thirty  fathoms.  See  it  well  done — our  lives  may  depend 
upon  it." 

The  ship  continued  to  hold  her  course  good  ;  and  we  were 
within  half  a  mile  of  the  point,  and  fully  expected  to  weather 
it,  when  again  the  wet  and  heavy  sails  flapped  in  the  wind, 
and  the  ship  broke  ofl'two  points  as  before.  The  oflicers  and 
seamen  were  aghust,  for  the  ship's  head  was  right  on  to  the 
breakers.  "  Luff'now,  all  you  can,  quartermaster,"  cried  the 
captain.  "  Send  the  men  aft  directly.  My  lads,  there  is  no 
time  for  words — I  am  going  to  club  haul  the  ship  for  there  is 
no  room  to  wear.  The  only  chance  of  safety,  is  to  be  cool, 
watch  my  eye,  and  execute  my  orders  wi»^  precision.  Away 
to  your  stations  for  tacking  ship.  Hands  by  the  best  bower 
anchor.  Mr.  Wilson  attend  below  with  the  carpenter  and  his 
mates  ready  to  cut  away  the  cable  at  the  moment  I  give  the 
order.  Silence  there,  fore  and  aft.  Quarter-master,  keep 
her  full  again  for  stays.  Mind  you  ease  the  helm  down  when 
I  tell  you."  About  a  minute  passed  before  the  cuptuin  gave 
any  further  orders.  The  ship  had  closed  to  within  a  quarter 
of  a  mile  of  the  beach,  and  the  waves  curled  and  topped  around 
us,  bearing  us  down  upon  the  shore,  which  presented  one  con- 
dnued  surface  of  foam,  extending  to  within  half  a  cable's  length 
of  our  position,  at  which  distance  the  enormous  waves  cul- 
minated and  fell  with  the  report  of  thunder.  The  captain 
waved  his  hand  in  silence  to  the  quarter-master  at  the  wheel, 
and  the  helm  was  put  down.  The  ship  turned  slowly  to  the 
wind,  pitching  and  chopping  as  the  sails  were  spilling.  When 
■he  had  lost  her  way,  the  captain  gave  the  order.  ^*  Let  ao 
the  anchor.  We  will  haul  all  at  once,  Mr.  Falcon,"  said  the 
captain.  Not  a  word  was  spoken,  the  men  went  to  the  fora 
VOL  I  4^ 


BUCBimoll   or   ▲   ATORM   AT   IIA. 


brace,  which  had  not  been  mnnned  \  mogt  ofthem  knew,  although 
I  did  not,  that  if  the  ship's  head  did  not  go  round  the  other  way, 
we  ahould  be  on  shore,  and  among  the  breakers,  in  less  than 
half  a  minute.  I  thought  at  the  time  that  the  captain  said 
that  he  would  haul  all  the  yards  at  once,  (here  appeareu  to  be 
doubt  or  dissent  on  the  countenance  of  Mr.  Falcon  ;  and  I 
was  aflerwards  told  that  he  had  not  agreed  with  the  captain, 
but  he  was  too  good  an  officer,  and  knew  that  there  was  no 
time  for  discussion,  to  make  any  remark;  and  the  event  prov- 
ed that  the  captain  was  right.  At  last  the  ship  was  head  to 
wind,  and  the  captain  gave  the  signal.  The  yards  Hew  round 
with  such  a  creaking  noise,  that  i  thought  the  masts  had  gone 
over  the  side,  and  the  next  moment  the  wind  had  caught  the 
sails,  and  the  ship,  which  for  a  moment  or  two  had  been  on 
an  even  keel,  careened  over  to  her  gunwale  with  its  force.  The 
captain,  who  stood  up<jn  the  weather  hammock  rails,  holding 
by  the  main  rigging,  ordered  the  helm  u  midships,  looking  full 
at  the  sails,  and  then  at  the  cable,  which  grew  broad  upon  the 
weather  bow,  and  held  the  ship  from  the  shore.  At  last  he 
cried,  '*  Cut  away  the  cable."  A  few  strokes  of  the  axes 
were  heard,  and  then  the  cable  flew  out  of  the  hawse-hole  in 
a  blaze  of  fire,  from  the  violence  of  friction,  and  disappeared 
under  a  huge  wave,  which  struck  us  on  the  chess  tree,  and 
deluged  us  with  water  fore  and  aft.  But  we  were  now  on  the 
other  tack,  the  ship  regained  her  way,  and  we  had  evidently 
increased  our  distance  from  the  land. 

"  My  lads,"  said  the  captain  to  the  ship's  company,  "  you 
have  behaved  well,  and  I  thank  you  ;  but  I  must  tell  yeu 
honestly,  that  we  have  more  difficulties  to  get  through  Wo 
have  to  weather  a  point  of  the  bay  on  this  tack.  Mr.  Falcon, 
splice  the  main-brace,  and  call  the  watch  How's  her  head, 
quarter-master  .'' " 

"S.  W.  byS.     Southerly,  sir." 

"  Very  well  ;  let  her  go  through  the  water  ;"  and  the  cap- 
tain beckoning  to  the  masterto  follow  him,  went  down  in  thf» 
cabin.  As  our  immediate  danger  was  over,  I  went  down  into 
the  berth  to  see  if  I  could  get  any  thing  for  breakfast,  where  I 
5>und  O'Brien  and  two  or  three  more. 

'*  It  was  as  nate  a  thing  as  ever  [  saw  done,"  observed 
O'Brien.  "Now,  where's  the  chart,  Robinson.  Hand  me 
down  the  narallel  rules  and  compasses,  Peter,  they  are  in  the 
corner  of  the  shelf  Here  we  are  now,  too  near  this  infernal 
point.     Who  knows  how  her  head  is  ?" 

**  I  do,  O'Brien  ;  I  heard  the  quarter-master  tell  the  c«pt«iii| 
bW.hjB.    Southerly." 


PMOBimoif   or   A    STORM   AT  IBA 


"Let  ne  Me,**  continued  O'Brien,  ''variation  f  1-4.  lee 
way — ratner  too  large  an  allowance  of  that,  I'm  afraid  ;  but 
however,  we'll  give  her  2  1-^  points;  the  Diomede  would 
bluah  to  make  any  more,  under  any  circumRtances.  Here— 
the  compass — we  Ml  sec  ;"  and  O'Brien  advanced  the  parallel 
rule  fVom  the  compass  to  the  spot  where  the  ship  was  placed 
on  the  chart.  '*  Bother  !  you  hoc  it  '«  as  much  as  she  'II  do 
to  weather  the  other  point  now.  on  this  tack,  and  that  's  what 
the  captain  meant  when  he  told  us  wo  had  more  difficu  ty.  i 
could  have  taken  my  oath  that  we  were  clear  of  every  thing, 
if  the  wind  held." 

"  See  what  the  distance  is,  O'Brien,"  said  Robinson.  It 
was  measured,  and  proved  to  be  thirteen  miles,  "  Only  thir- 
teen miles  ;  and  if  we  do  weather,  we  shall  do  very  well,  for 
the  bay  is  deep  beyond.  It 's  a  rocky  point,  you  see,  just  by 
way  of  variety." 

On  deck  the  superior  officers  were  in  conversation  with  the 
captain,  who  had  expressed  tlie  same  fear  that  O'Brien  bad  in 
our  berth.  The  men,  who  knew  what  thoy  had  to  expect — for 
this  sort  of  intelligence  is  soon  communicated  through  a  ship 
— were  assembled  in  knots  looking  very  grave,  but  at  the 
same  time  not  wanting  in  confidetjce.  They  knew  that  they 
could  trust  to  the  captain,  as  far  as  skill  or  courage  could  avail 
them,  and  sailors  are  too  sanguine  to  despair,  even  at  the  last 
moment.  As  for  myself,  I  felt  such  admiration  for  the  cap- 
tain, afler  what  I  had  witnessed  that  morning,  that  whenever 
the  idea  came  over  me,  that  in  all  probability  I  should  be  lost 
in  a  few  hours  I  could  not  help  acknowledging  how  much  more 
serious  it  was  that  such  a  man  should  be  lost  to  his  country. 
I  do  not  intend  to  say  that  it  consoled  me  ;  but  it  certainly 
made  me  still  more  regret  the  chances  with  which  we  were 
threatened. 

Before  twelve  o'clock,  tlie  rocky  point  which  was  so  much 
dreaded  was  in  sight,  broad  on  the  lee  bow  ;  and  if  the  low 
eandy  coast  appeared  terrible,  how  much  mote  did  this,  ever 
at  a  distance  :  the  black  masses  of  rock,  covered  with  foam; 
which  each  minute  dashed  up  in  the  air  higher  than  our  lowei 
mast  heads.  The  captain  eyed  it  for  some  minutes  in  silence 
as  if  in  calculation. 

''  Mr.  Falcon,"  said  he,  at  last,  ^'  we  must  put  the  mainaai 
on  her." 

"  She  never  can  bear  it,  sir." 

**  She  must  bear  it,"  was  the  reply.  ^*  Send  the  men  all 
to  the  incin  sheet  See  that  careful  mea  attend  the  bunt* 
linee." 


( 


•4 


DKtCRirTION    OF   A   ITORM   AT   tlA. 


The  mainsail  was  set,  and  the  effect  of  it  upon  the  8hip  vai 
remendous.  She  careened  over  so  that  her  lee  channels 
weie  under  the  vater,  and  when  pressed  by  a  ^ea,  the  lee  side 
of  the  quarter  deck  and  gangway  were  afloat.  She  now  re- 
miaded  me  of  a  goaded  and  fiery  horse,  mad  with  the  stimulus 
applied  ;  not  rising  at  before,  but  forcing  herself  through 
whole  t^eas,  and  dividing  the  waves,  which  poured  in  one  con« 
tinual  torrent  from  the  forecastle  down  upon  the  deck  below. 
Four  men  were  secured  to  the  wheel — the  sailors  were  oblig- 
ed to  cling,  to  prevent  being  washed  away — the  ropes  were 
thrown  in  confusion  to  leeward — the  shot  rolled  out  of  the 
lockers,  and  every  eye  was  fixed  a)  ifl,  watching  the  masts, 
expected  every  moment  to  go  over  the  s'Je.  A  heavy  ses 
»*i\Aok  us  on  the  broadside,  and  it  ivas  some  moments  befVjrf 
the  ship  appeared  to  recover  herself;  she  reeled,  trembl-'^d 
and  stopped  her  way  as  if  it  had  stupified  her.  Tne  first  \'u\ 
tenant  looked  at  the  captain,  as  if  to  say,  '^  This  will  not  do  " 
"  It  is  our  only  chance,"  answered  the  captain  to  the  appca!* 
That  the  ship  went  faster  through  the  water,  and  held  a  better 
wind,  was  certain  ;  but  just  before  we  arrived  at  the  point,  the 
gale  increased  in  force.  ''  If  any  thing  starts  we  are  lost^ 
sir,"  observed  the  first  lieutenai.t  again. 

"  I  am  perfectly  aware  of  it,"  replied  the  captain,  in  a  calm 
tone  ;  *^  but  as  I  said  before,  and  you  must  now  be  aware,  it 
IS  our  only  chance.  The  consequence  of  any  carelessness  or 
neglect  in  the  fitting  and  securing  of  the  rigging,  will  be  felt 
now  ;  and  this  danger,  if  we  escape  it,  ought  to  remind  us 
how  much  we  have  to  answer  for  if  we  neglect  our  duty.  The 
lives  of  a  whole  ship's  company  may  be  sacrificed  by  ihe  neg- 
lect or  incompetence  of  an  officer  when  in  harbor.  I  will  pay 
you  the  compliment.  Falcon,  to  say,  that  I  fee!  (convinced,  that 
the  masts  of  this  ship  are  as  secure  as  knowledge  and  atten- 
don  can  make  them."  ' 

The  first  lieul<°!nant  thanked  the  captain  for  his  good  opm* 
ion,  and  hoped  it  would  not  bo  the  last  compliment  which  he 
paid  him. 

**  I  hope  not  too  ;  but  a  few  minutes  will  decide  the  point.' 

The  ship  was  now  within  two  cables  length  of  the  rocky 

Eoint ;  some  few  of  the  men  I  observed  to  clasp  their  hands, 
ut  most  of  them  were  silently  taking  oflT  their  jackets,  and 
kicking  off  their  shoe^%  thai^  they  might  not  lose  a  chance  of 
escape  provided  the  ship  struck.  ''  'T  will  be  touch  and  so 
indeed  F;^Jcon,"  observed  the  captain,  (for  I  had  clung  to  the 
Ma/iof  pinsy  doae  to  thein,  for  the  last  half  hour|  tbtt  Um 


OBtcmiPTioir  OF  a  storm  nr  iia. 


msinsail  had  been  set.)    ^^  Come  ail,  you  ar  d  I  must  take  tlie 
helm.     We  shall  want  nerve  there,  and  only  there  now.** 

The  captain  and  first  lieutenant  went  ad,  and  took  the  fore 
spokes  of  the  wheel,  and  O'Brien,  at  a  sign  made  by  the  cap- 
tain, laid  hold  of  the  spokes  heiiind  him.  An  old  quarter-mas- 
ter kept  his  station  at  the  fourth.  The  roaring  of  the  seas  on 
the  rocks,  with  the  howling  of  the  wind,  were  dreadful ;  but 
the  sigh  was  more  dreadful  than  the  noise.  For  a  few  mo- 
ments i  shut  my  eyes,  but  anxiety  forced  me  to  open  them 
again.  As  near  as  I  couid  judge  we  were  not  twenty  yards 
from  the  rocks  at  the  time  the  ship  passed  abreast  of  them. 
We  were  in  the  midst  of  the  foam,  which  boiled  around  us  ; 
and  as  the  ship  was  driven  nearer  to  them,  and  careened  with 
the  wave,  I  thought  that  our  main  •  ard-arm  would  have  touch- 
ed the  rock  ;  and  at  this  r"' mem  a  gust  of  wind  came  on, 
which  laid  the  ship  on  hor  !  am-ends,  and  checked  her  pro- 
gress through  tue  water,  while  the  accumulated  noise  was 
deafening.  A  few  moments  more  the  ship  dragged  on,  another 
wave  dashed  over  her  and  spent  itself  upon  the  rocks,  while 
the  spray  was  dashed  back  from  them,  and  returned  upon  the 
decks.  The  main  rock  was  within  ten  yards  of  her  counter, 
when  another  gust  laid  us  on  our  beam  ends,  the  foreflail  and 
mainsail  split,  and  were  blown  clean  out  of  the  bolt  ropes,  the 
the  ship  righted,  trembling  fore  and  afl.  I  looked  aster.) ; 
tne  rocks  were  to  windward  on  our  quarter,  and  we  were  saie 
I  thought  at  '.he  tin»3,  that  the  ship,  relieved  of  her  courses, 
and  again  liftirg  jver  the  waves,  was  not  a  bad  simile  of  the 
relief  felt  by  us  all  at  that  moment ;  and,  like  her,  we  trem- 
bled as  we  panted  with  the  sudden  reaction,  and  felt  the  re- 
moval of  the  intense  anxiety  which  oppressed  our  breasts. 

The  captain  resigne-J  the  helm,  and  walked  aA  to  look  at  the 
point,  which  was  now  broad  on  the  weather  quarter  In  a 
minuto  or  two,  he  desired  Mr.  Falcon  to  get  new  sails  up  and 
bend  thorn,  and  i  hen  went  belo^*^  to  his  cabin.  I  am  «iure  it 
was  to  thank  God  for  our  delir'/ance  ;  I  did  most  fervently, 
not  only  then,  but  when  I  went  to  my  hammock  at  night.  We 
were  now  comparatively  safe  ;  in  a  few  hours  completely  so ; 
for  strange  tv  say,  immediately  after  we  had  weathered  the 
rocks,  the  gale  abated,  and  be'bre  morning  we  bad  a  reef  oat 
of  the  topsails 


wfimmmm'mm 


I.I'  lUiJl.l 


N 


or    THE    BRIO    COMMKRCB. 


.  i. ..  at 


VfRECK  OF  TfTE  r>RIG  COMMERCE, 

On  the.  fVeiUm  coast  of  Afrka,  August  28/A,  19\J),  and  the  slavery 
%nd  sufferings  of  the  C.  .^n  on  the  Desert  of  Zahara.  Compiled 
from  the  Narratives  of  Cajt    Rilet  and  Akciiibai.d  Robbiws. 

There  is  not,  perhaps,  in  the  annals  of  shipwreck,  a  pergon- 
al narrative  more  deoj)ly  distressing,  or  m(»re  painfully  inter- 
esting.  than  that  of  Captain  Riley.  Were  there  not  the  most 
Ample  testimony  to  his  excellent  moral  character  and  unim- 
p^Hchahle  veracity,  we  might  be  led  to  withhold  our  belief 
fn«nn  some  parts  of  his  narrative,  on  the  simpit  grcurtd  that 
hitman  nature  on  the  one  hand,  was  utterly  incapable  of  in- 
fl  "ting,  and  on  the  other,  of  enduring,  such  hardships  and 
sufferings  as  this  gentleman  and  his  poor  shipwrecked  com- 
panions had  to  undergo — sufierings  which,  as  Capt.  Hiley  truly 
Sttye,  have  been  as  great  and  as  various  as  ever  fell  to  ihe  lot 
of  humanity. 

The  brig  Commerce,  commanded  by  Capt.  James  R  Icy, 
cleared  from  Middletown,  Coi:in.  on  the  6th  of  May,  1816, 
iK)und  to  New  Orleans,  with  ihe  intention  of  taking  in  • 
freight  at  that  place  for  a  foreign  market.  She  arrived  at  her 
ititi— d  port  without  any  material  accident)  discbargei  het 


LOM   OF   1»K   BRIO   GOMMKHCX. 


87 


cmrgo,  and  tooK  in  a  freight  for  Gibraltar,  al  M'hich  place  she 
arrived  after  .a  passage  of  forty  five  days. 

The  officers  and  crew  at  this  time,  CGii8i8t<)d  of  James  Riley, 
captain  ;  George  Williams,  chief  mate  ;  Aaron  R.  Savage,  !2d 
mate ;  William  Porter,  Thomas  Burns,  James  Clark,  Archi- 
bald Robbins,  John  Hogan,  and  James  Barrett,  seamen ; 
Richard  Delisle,  a  colored  man,  cook  ;  and  an  elderly  man, 
by  the  name  of  Antonio  Michael,  who  was  taken  on  board  at 
Gibraltar,  to  work  his  passage  to  New  York. 

On  the  23d  of  Augu»t  they  set  sail  from  Gibraltar  for  the 
Cape  de  Verd  islands  to  complete  the  cargo  with  salt.  The 
usual  course  from  Gibraltar  to  these  islands  is,  to  run  down 
and  make  the  island  of  Madeira  ;  but  Capt.  Riley,  wishing  to 
make  the  voyage  as  expeditious  us  possible,  run  down  between 
the  Canary  islands  and  the  African  coast.  The  weather  at  this 
time,  being  thick  and  foggy,  they  pa.sscd  the  Grand  Canaries 
without  discovering  them.  On  the  28th  of  August,  at  merid- 
ian, it  was  noticed  by  the  mate  and  crew,  that  the  water  was 
colored,  indicating  a  near  approach  to  land.  I'his  circum- 
stance was  mentioned  to  Capt.  Riley,  but  he  was  of  opinion 
that  the  appearance  of  the  water  was  occasioned  by  the  fog 
and  thick  weather,  and  continued  his  course  to  the  S.  W., 
sailing  at  the  rate  often  knots  an  m>\ir.  At  about  10  o^cilock 
on  the  same  evening,  the  brig  ran  ashore  with  such  violence, 
as  to  proih'^trate  ihe  crew  upon  the  deck.  They  immediately 
let  go  the  sheet  anchor,  clewed  down  the  sails,  and  used  every 
exertion  to  save  her.  But  her  fate  was  decided,  and  their  ex- 
ertions vain. 

The  sea  broke  with  tremendous  power  over  the  starboard 
quarter,  and  as  the  vessel  was  momentarily  in  danger  of  going 
to  pieces,  they  broke  open  the  hold,  and  exerted  al'  their  en- 
ergy in  fdling  small  casks  with  water,  from  the  larger  ones, 
knowing  that  the  dismal  coast  on  which  they  were  driven, 
was  almost  destitute  of  that  indispensable  necessary  of  life 
They  e.lso  secured  what  provisions  they  could,  as  the  vessel 
was  fast  filling  with  water.  At  12  o'clock  they  disco ercd 
the  beach  off  the  larboard  bow,  the  weather  having  become 
nufficiently  clear.  They  immediately  cut  away  tiie  larboard 
bulwark,  and  launched  the  boats  Capt.  Riley  and  William 
Porter  jumped  into  Uie  small  bout,  and  carried  a  rope  ashoie, 
which  they  made  fast  by  means  of  sticks  which  had  floated 
there  from  tho  wreck.  The  men  on  board,  then  hauled  the 
long  boat  under  the  larboard  bovr,  and  put  into  her  two  or 
three  barrels  of  bread  and  some  pork.     They  also  threw  over* 


im 


LQM  or  TBB  BRIO   COMMKRCB. 


board,  some  barrels  of  water  and  wine  which  floated  to  the 
Bhore,  and  were  secured.  Two  seatnen  got  into  the  boat,  and 
veering  her  by  means  of  the  rope  fastened  on  board  the  brig, 
they  approached  the  shore.  The  aiirt  immediately  filled  her, 
and  the  men  jumped  overboard  to  save  some  of  their  wet  provi- 
ftions,  and  secured  one  barrel  of  bread  wholly  dry.  Capt.  Riley 
and  three  others  were  now  on  shore,  but  the  long  boat  being 
bilged,  and  the  small  boat  unable  to  stand  the  surf,  they  lould 
not  return  to  the  wreck.  Their  companions  on  board  in  the 
meantime  were  heaving  overboard  chests,  beds  and  every 
article  that  would  float,  that  they  could  get  at,  and  those  on 
shore  secured  them  as  they  floated  within  reach.  Day  light 
at  length  appeared.  Capt.  Riley  hailed  the  mates  who  werfi 
both  on  board,  ordering  them  to  make  fast  one  of  the  ropes 
that  extended  from  the  wreck  to  the  shore,  around  his  trunk 
which  contained  some  specie  This  being  done,  they  dragged 
the  trunk  ashore. 

The  brig  was  now  completely  filled  with  water,  and  Capt. 
Riley  ordered  the  masts  to  ue  cut  away.  The  next  considera- 
tion was,  how  the  people  en  the  wreck  could  be  rescued  from 
the  imminent  danger  surrounding  them.  The  rope  that  ex- 
tended from  the  shore  to  the  brig  wt  s  loosened  and  made  fast 
to  the  hawser,  which  Vi^as  drawn  to  the  shore,  and  made  as  fast 
as  their  slender  mean^^  would  admit  It  was  then  high  water. 
The  brig  lay  about  thirty  rods  from  the  shore,  and  between 
them  the  surf  was  rolli'Ag  and  roaring  in  a  manner  calculated 
to  produce  consternation  and  despair  in  the  stoutept  heart. 
Capt.  Riley  made  signals  to  those  on  the  wreck  to  come  ashore 
on  the  hawser.  He  placed  himself,  together  with  the  three 
m'ten,  at  the  hawser,  as  far  in  the  water  as  they  could  stand, 
the  surf  all  the  while  breaking  over  them.  At  length  Hogan 
attempted  the  perilous  passage  ;  suspended  upon  the  rope 
between  two  worlds,  uncertain  to  which  every  returning  surge 
might  waft  him,  he  approached  the  shore.  Before  he  reached 
it,  he  was  so  much  exhausted  that  he  lost  his  hold, — a  surf 
washed  him  within  reach,  and  he  was  saved.  In  this  way, 
one  after  another  succeeded  in  getting  safe  to  land,  and  found 
themselves,  at  sunrise,  upon  a  coast  containing  a  race  of 
beings  more  merciless  than  the  waves  from  which  they  aad 
just  escaped.  For  nearly  a  mile  the  beach  was  strewed  with 
fragments  of  the  valuable  cargo.  They  hauled  the  boats  from 
the  surf,  and  gathered  together  the  small  amount  of  provisions 
and  clothing  which  was  strewed  about.  In  the  captain'a 
tnink  were  two  bags  of  specie  containing  about  $1,000  t^ck 


LOM  or   TBI   BRIO   COMMBROB. 


o  the 
)  and 

'fig, 
ner, 

fovi- 

ing 
ouJd 
fhe 
^'ery 
on 
gHt 
ere 
>pea 
unk 
ged 


one  of  these  was  opened,  and  the  money  distributed  among  the 
meo,  to  conceal  about  their  persons  j— the  other  they  buried 
in  the  sand. 

About  sunrise,  their  attention  was  attracted  by  the  appear- 
ance of  a  human  creature,  at  the  distance  of  nearly  naif  a 
mile,  approaching  them.  As  he  discovered  the  wrecked  ar- 
ticles and  the  wretched  group,  he  manifested  by  his  actions, 
the  commotions  of  a  mind  agitated  by  the  mingled  C[x  rations 
of  joy  and  fear.  He  came  within  twenty  rods  of  tbtfn,  and 
then  by  signs  showed  an  intention  of  departing.  Capt.  Riley 
walked  gently  towards  him,  and  by  every  sign  that  could  be 
-esorted  to,  endeavored  to  persuade  him  to  come  and  take 
possession  of  some  of  the  articles.  After  interchanging  signs 
m  token  of  peace,  this  horrible  figure  lefl  them  to  reflect  upon 
the  adventure.  ,       . 

They  proceeded  to  erect  a  tent  from  the  spars,  oars,  and 
sails,  which  they  had  saved  from  the  wreck,  to  secure  their 
provisions  and  water  ;  scarcely  thinking  of  any  thing  else 
from  the  peculiar  perils  of  their  situation.  While  busily  en- 
gaged in  this  service  the  figure  before  mentioned  reappeared, 
being  joined  by  two  aged  females  of  the  most  frightful  aspect, 
a  boy,  and  two  small  girls,  probably  their  children. 

More  terrible  visages  never  presented  themselves  to  the 
astonished  eyes  and  agitated  hearts  of  men.  The  gnashing 
teeth  and  opened  mouth  of  the  old  man,  stretching  almost 
from  ear  to  ear, — his  long  firrey  beard  hanging  down  i;non  his 
breast, — his  head,  covered  with  long  bushy  hair,  standing  out 
in  every  direction,  six  or  eight  inches  from  his  head, — the  red 
and  flashing  eyes  of  the  old  women,  their  tushes  projecting 
from  their  jaws,  and  the  more  mild,  though  terrible  appear- 
ance of  their  ferocious  brood,  imparted  feelings  to  the  i>ston- 
ished  mariners,  better  imagined  than  described.  Thoy  broke 
open  the  chests,  plundered  the  clothing,  and  proceeding  to- 
il ards  the  tent,  were  about  to  pillage  their  provisions  and  water, 
m\ich  the  crew  resolved  to  defend  to  the  last  extremity.  They 
finally  departed,  and  lefl  the  wretched  party  to  take  measures 
for  their  future  escape  or  safety.  Capt.  Riiey  proposed  re- 
pairing the  long  boat,  oy  -vhlch  they  iriight  be  enabled  to 
reach  the  Cape  de  Verd  islands.  The  wind  lulled  a  litde  in 
the  afternoon,  and  William  Porter  succeeded  in  reaching,  die 
irreck  and  procured  a  few  nails  and  a  marline-spike  ;  with 
which  they  worked  upon  the  boat  till  it  was  quite  flark. 

Some  of  the  natives  had  furniMhed  them  with  fire,  which  en- 
abled them  to  cook  some  salted  pork,  which,  together  witk 


MM  OV   TBI   BRIO   COMMSRCB. 


bread  and  butter  furnished  them  with  the  last  meal  tbey  wer« 
to  enjoy  from  the  provisions  saved  (Von)  the  wreck.  A  watch 
for  the  night  was  set,  who  were  to  give  an  alarm  in  case  of 
the  approach  of  the  natives,  and  keep  burning  a  guard  fire. 

"Night,"  says  Capt.  Riley,  ''had  now  spread  her  sable 
mantle  over  the  face  of  nature,  the  savages  had  retired,  and 
all  was  still,  c.Ycept  the  restless  and  unwearied  waves,  which 
dashed  against  the  deserted  wreck,  and  tumbled  among  the 
broken  rocks  a  little  to  the  tastward  of  us,  where  the  high 
perpendicular  cliffs,  jutting  out  into  the  sea,  opposed  a  barrier 
to  their  violence,  and  threatened,  at  the  same  time,  inevitable 
and  certain  destruction  to  every  ill  fated  vessel  and  her  crew 
that  should,  unfortunately,  approach  too  near  their  immovable 
foundations;  these  we  had  escaped  only  by  a  few  rods.  From 
the  time  the  vessel  struck  to  this  moment,  I  had  been  so  en- 
tirely engaged  by  the  laborious  exertions  which  our  critical 
situation  demanded,  that  I  had  no  time  for  reflection  ;  but  it 
now  rushed  like  a  torrent  over  my  mind,  and  banished  from  my 
eyes  that  sleep  which  my  fatigued  frame  so  much  required. 
I  knew  I  was  on  a  barren  and  mhospitablc  coast ;  a  tcmpestu- 
ous  ocean  lay  before  me,  whose  bosom  was  continually  tossed 
and  agitated  by  wild  and  furious  winds,  blowing  directly  on 
shore;  no  vessel  or  boat  sufhcient  for  our  escape,  as  I 
thought  it  Impossible  for  our  shattered  long-boat  to  live  at 
sea,  even  if  we  should  succeed  in  urging  her  through  the 
tremendous  surges  that  broke  upon  the  shore,  with  such  vio- 
lence, as  to  make  the  whole  coast  tremble  ;  bel<  nd  us  were 
savage  beings,  bearing  the  human  form  indeed,  but  in  its  most 
terrinc  appearance,  whose  object  I  knew,  from  what  had 
already  passed,  would  be  to  rob  us  of  our  last  resource,  our 
provisions;  and  I  did  not  doubt,  but  they  would  be  sufhciently 
strong  in  the  morning,  not  only  to  accomplish  what  they 
meditated,  but  to  take  our  lives  also,  or  to  seize  upon  our  per- 
sons, and  doom  us  to  slavery,  till  death  should  rid  us  of  our 
miseries. 

''  This  was  the  first  time  i  had  ever  suffered  shipwieck.  1 
had  lefl  a  wife  and  five  young  children  behind  me,  and  oo 
whom  I  doated,  and  who  depended  un  me  entirely  fcr  their 
subsistence.  My  children  would  have  no  father's,  and  per- 
haps no  motner's  care,  to  direct  them  in  the  paths  of  virtue, 
to  instruct  their  ripening  years,  or  to  watch  over  them,  and 
administer  the  balm  of  comfort  in  time  of  sickness  ;  no  gener- 
ous friend  to  relieve  their  distresses,  and  save  them  from  in- 
digence, degradation,  and  ruin.     These  reflections  harrow«4 


I 


MM   OF  TUB   II&IO    CCBIMBACB. 


§1 


f 


up  my  soul,  nor  could  I  cease  to  shudder  at  these  imaginary 
evils,  added  to  my  real  ones,  until  I  was  forced  mentally  to 
exclaim,  '  Thy  ways,  great  Father  oi*  the  universe,  are  wise 
and  just,  and  what  am  1 !  an  atom  of  dust,  that  dares  to  mur- 
mur at  thy  dispensations.' " 

The  night  passed-  slowly  and  tediously  away,  and  in  the 
morning  the  old  man  once  more  made  his  appearance,  with 
additional  reinforcements.  He  was  armed  with  a  spear  of 
iron,  about  twelve  feet  long.  This  he  balanced  in  his  right 
hand  above  his  head.  Ue  ordei-ed  them  off  to  the  wreck, 
pointing  to  a  drove  of  camels,  descending  a  hill  to  the  east- 
ward. They  all  fled  to  the  boat,  while  Capt  Riley  defended 
himself  with  a  piece  of  spar,  with  the  most  consummate 
bravery. 

As  soon  as  they  had  reached  the  wreck,  the  Arabs  com- 
menced an  indiscriminate  plunder  of  every  thing  they  wanted, 
occasionally  brandishing  their  weapons  and  bidding  defiance 
to  the  crew.  They  gathered  up  the  trunks,  chests,  sea  in- 
struments, books  and  charts,  consumed  them  in  a  pile,  and 
stove  all  casks  of  water  and  wine  that  they  could  not  carrv 
off,  ind  emptied  the  contents  in  the  sand. 

The  sight  of  the  deplorable  situation  of  the  crew  now  seem 
ed  to  excite  pity  in  the  breasts  of  the  savages.  They  came 
down  to  the  water's  edge,  bowed  themselves  to  the  ground,  and 
beckoned  Capt.  Riley  to  come  on  shore,  making  all  the  signs 
of  peace  and  friendship  they  could.  The  men  carried  their 
arms  up  over  the  sand  hills  and  returned  without  them.  See- 
ing no  possible  chance  of  preserving  their  lives,  in  any  othei* 
way  but  by  the  assistance  of  the  natives,  Capt.  liiley  descend- 
ed on  the  hawser  to  the  shore.  He  was  immediately  seized  by 
two  of  the  stoutest  of  the  young  men,  who  placed  themselves 
on  each  side  of  him  for  safe-keeping.  They  ^Tosped  his 
arms  like  lions,  and  at  that  instant,  the  women  and  children 
presented  their  daggers,  knives  and  spears  at  his  breast 
One  of  the  Arabs  seized  hold  of  him  by  the  throat,  and  with  a 
flcimetar  at  his  breast  gave  him  to  understand  there  wa& 
money  on  board,  and  it  must  instantly  be  brought  ashore. 
Capt.  Riley  hailed  his  men,  and  told  them  what  the  savages 
required  :  a  bucket  was  accordingly  sent  on  shore  with  about 
a  thousand  dollars.  An  old  Arab  instantly  laid  hold  cf  it,  ana 
forcing  Riley  to  accompany  him,  they  all  went  behind  the 
sand-hills  to  divide  the  spoil.  In  this  situation  he  felt  himself 
fery  uneasy,  and  in  order  to  regain  the  beach,  he  made  suriui 
thai  tb«ra  was  atiU  more  money  remaiaing  in  tha  ahip     Tin 


i 


'■>I»B '(!'■.  I '.jiiiy^rw* 


UMA  09   iJtiM  •mia   COAIMUMI 


bint  fueeeed^d  j  uid  under  the  idee  of  getting  it  they  allow* 
ed  him  acain  to  hail  hi^  people  ;  wi.en,  instead  of  money,  he 
desired  them  to  send  on  shore  Anloiio  Michael  (an  old  man 
they  had  .aken  in  at  Gibraltar),  ao  the  only  possible  means 
leil  for  him  of  effecting  his  own  escape.  The  Arabs  finding, 
on  his  reaching  the  shore,  that  he  bad  brought  no  money  with 
him,  struck  hun,  pricked  him  with  their  sharp  knives,  and 
stripped  him  jf  all  nia  clothes.  Mr.  Riley  seized  this  oppor- 
tunity of  springing  from  his  keepers,  and  plunged  into  the  sea. 
On  rising  th  ough  the  surf,  be  perceived  the  old  Arab  within 
ten  feet  of  h.tii,  up  to  his  chin  in  water,  with  his  spear  ready 
to  strike  him;  but  another  surf  rolling  at  that  instant  over  him, 
saved  his  life,  and  he  reached  the  lee  of  the  wreck  in  safety. 
The  remorseless  brutes  wreaked  their  vengeance  on  poor  An- 
tonio, by  plunging  a  spear  into  his  body,  which  laid  him  life- 
less at  their  feet. 

The  wreck  was,  by  this  time,  going  rapidly  to  pieces  ;  the 
long-boat  writhed  like  an  old  basket.  The  crew  had  neither 
provisions  nor  water  ;  neither  oars  nor  a  rudder  to  the  boat 
neither  compass  nor  quadrant  to  direct  their  course  ;  yet 
hopeless  as  their  situation  was,  and  expecting  to  be  swallowed 
up  by  the  first  surf,  they  resolved  to  try  their  fate  on  the 
ocean,  rather  than  to  encounter  death  from  the  relentless 
lavages  on  shore.  By  great  exertion,  they  succeeded  in  find- 
mg  a  water  cask,  out  of  which  they  filled  four  gallons  into  a 
keg.  One  of  the  seamen,  Porter,  stole  on  shore  by  the 
hawser,  and  brought  on  board  two  oars,  with  a  small  bag  ot 
money  which  they  had  buried,  containing  about  four  hundred 
dollars.  They  also  contrived  to  get  together  a  few  pieces  of 
salt  pork,  a  live  pig,  weighing  about  twenty  pounds,  about 
four  pounds  of  figs,  a  spar  for  the  boat^s  mast,  a  jib,  and 
a  mainsail.  Every  thing  being  ready,  the  crew  went  to 
pra;'ers;  and  the  wind  ceasing  to  blow,  the  boat  was  launched 
through  the  breakers. 

f^  It  had  baen  my  intention,"  says  Capt  Riley,  ^^afler  we  had 
got  to  sea,  .0  run  down  the  coast  in  the  hope  of  finding  some 
vessel,  or  to  discover  the  mouth  of  some  river,  in  order  to  ob- 
tain a  supply  of  water.  But  now  the  dangers  and  dtfl^culties 
we  should  have  to  encounter  in  doing  this  were  taken  into 
consideration.  If  we  tried  to  navigate  along  the  coast,  it  was 
nco9ssary  to  know  our  course,  or  we  should  be  in  imminent 
danger  of  being  dashed  to  pieces  on  it  every  dark  day,  and 
every  night.  The  thick  foggy  weather  would  prevent  our 
feting  the  land  in  the  day  time  ;  whilst  the  wind,  blowing  •!• 


LOW  Of   TBI   BBIO   COMMBECt 


moit  direct  on  :he  land,  would  force  ue  towardb  it,  and  eo' 
danger  the  safety  of  both  the  boat  ana  our  lives  at  every  turn- 
ing point.  On  the  other  hand,  we  reflected  that  we  had  escap- 
ed from  savages  who  liad  alrcnriy  kiilt  d  ono  of  our  nhipmates, 
had  gained  the  open  sea  through  divino  mercy,  nrid  cuuld 
stand  off*  to  the  westward  witli(»m  (ear  ol'  l)cing  driven  on 
shore.  In  this  direction  we  might  meet  with  some  friendly 
vessel  to  save  us,  which  was  our  only  hope  in  that  way,  and 
the  worst  that  could  happen  to  us  was  to  sink  all  together  in 
ihe  sea,  or  gradually  perish  through  want  of  sustenance. 

^  Having  considered  and  represented  to  my  companions  the 
dangers  that  beset  us  on  every  side,  I  asked  their  opinions 
one  by  one,  and  found  thsy  were  unanimously  in  favor  of  com- 
mitting themselves  to  the  open  sea  in  preference  to  keeping 
along  the  coast.  The  dangers  appeared  to  be  fewer,  ana  all 
agreed  that  it  was  better  to  perish  on  the  ocean,  if  it  was  God's 
will,  than  by  the  hands  of  the  natives.  There  being  a  strong 
breeze,  we  stood  off"  by  the  wind  and  rigged  our  jib.  We  now 
agreed  to  put  ourselves  upon  allowance  of  one  bottle  of  water 
and  half  a  bottle  of  wine  among  eleven  of  us,  and  a  slice  of 
pork  and  two  soaked  and  salted  figs  for  each  man.  During 
this  day,  which  was  the  30th  of  August,  1815,  we  fitted  waist 
cloths  to  go  round  above  the  gunwale  of  the  boat,  to  prevent 
the  sea  from  dashing  over  ;  they  were  from  eight  to  ten  inches 
broad,  made  from  the  brig^s  fore-staysail,  and  were  kept  up  by 
small  pieces  of  a  board  which  we  formed  in  the  boat,  so  that 
they  helped  in  some  measure  to  keep  off  the  spray.  It  had 
been  cloudy  all  day,  and  the  boat  leaked  faster  than  she  had 
done  before.  As  night  came  on  the  wind  blew  hard  and  rais- 
ed the  sea  very  high,  but  the  boat  was  kept  ne&r  the  wind  by 
her  sails,  and  drilled  broadside  before  it,  smoothing  the  sea  to 
the  windward,  and  did  not  ship  a  great  deal  of  water.  On  the 
31st  it  became  more  moderate,  but  the  weather  was  very  thick 
and  hazy.  Our  pig  being  nearly  dead  for  the  want  of  water, 
we  killed  it,  taking  care  however  to  save  his  blood  ;  which  we 
divided  amongst  us  and  drank,  our  thirst  having  become  al- 
most insupportable.  We  also  divided  the  pig's  liver,  intes- 
tines, &.C.  between  us,  and  ate  scme  of  them,  (as  they  were 
fresh)  to  satisfy,  in  some  degree,  our  thirst.  Thus  tbig  day 
passed  away  ;  no  vessel  was  yet  seen  to  relieve  us ;  we  hud 
determined  to  save  our  urine  for  drink,  which  we  accordingly 
did  in  empty  bottles,  and  found  great  relief  from  the  use  of  it 
for  being  obliged  to  labor  h    .  v.    ~  to  keep  the  boat 

above  water,  our  thirst  was  n.u<  />rerely  felt  than  it 


-ir-mtm 


m£m«mimS£><»m 


VCXTflSC 


<«Mtt«I^M»l 


N 


LOlf   or   THB    BRIO    COMMBEOl. 


we  had  remained  still.  The  night  came  on  very  dark  an 5 
lowering  ;  the  sky  seemed  big  with  an  impending  tempest ; 
*he  wmd  blew  hard  from  the  N.  £.  and  before  midnight  the 
sea  combed  into  the  boat  in  such  quantities  as  several  times 
to  fill  her  more  than  half  full.  All  hands  were  employed  in 
throwing  out  the  water  with  )|ats  and  other  things,  each  be- 
lieving his  final  hour  had  at  tilhgth  arrived,  and  expecting  that 
every  approaching  surge  would  bury  him  forever  in  a  watery 
grave. 

''The  boat  racked  like  a  basket,  letting  in  water  at  eveiy 
seam  and  split  ;  her  timbers  working  out  or  breaking  off;  the 
nails  I  had  put  in  while  last  on  shore  were  kept  from  entirely 
drawing  out,  merely  by  the  pressure  of  the  water  acting  on 
the  outside  of  the  boat.  Sharp  flashes  of  lightning  caused  by 
heat  and  vapor  shot  across  the  gloom,  rendering  the  scene 
doubly  horrid.  In  this  situation  some  of  the  men  thought  it 
was  no  longer  of  use  to  try  to  keep  the  boat  afloat,  as  the} 
said  she  must  soon  All  in  spite  of  all  their  exertions.  Having 
poured  out  our  souls  before  our  God  and  implored  pardon  for 
our  transgressions,  each  one  felt  perfectly  resigned  to  his 
fate  :  this  was  a  trying  moment,  and  my  example  and  advice 
could  scarcely  induce  them  to  continue  bailing  ;  whilst  some 
of  them,  by  thrusting  their  heads  into  the  water,  endeavored 
to  ascertain  what  the  pain's  of  death  were  by  feeling  the  eflects 
tne  water  would  produce  on  their  organs.  Thus  passed  this 
night ;  all  my  exertions  were  necessary  to  encourage  the  met 
to  assist  me  in  bailing  the  boat,  by  reminding  them  of  uu.* 
miraculous  escape  from  the  savages,  and  through  the  surf  to 
the  open  sea,  and  enforcing  on  their  minds  the  consideration 
that  we  were  still  in  the  hands  of  the  same  disposing  power . 
and  that  we  ought  not  to  suppose  we  were  aided  in  escaping 
from  the  shore  by  a  miracle  to  be  abandoned  here  and  swal- 
lowed up  by  the  ocean  ;  and  that  for  my  own  part  I  still  en- 
tertained hopes  of  our  preservation  ;  at  any  rate  that  it  was  a 
duty  we  owed  to  God  and  ourselves  to  strive  to  the  latest 
breath  to  prevent  our  own  destruction.  Day  came  on  amidst 
these  accumulated  horrors;  it  was  the  Ist  of  September;  thirst 
pressed  upon  ua,  which  we  could  only  allay  by  wetting  our 
mouths  twice  a  day  with  a  few  drops  of  wine  and  water,  and 
MB  many  times  with  our  urine. 

"The  wind  continued  to  blow  hard  all  this  day,  and  the  suc- 
ceeding night  with  great  violence,  and  the  boat  to  work  aud 
leak  in  the  same  manner  as  before.  Worn  down  with  fatiguet 
•lul  lojf-continued  hunger  and  thirst,  scorched  by  the  bum- 


:.ii»n»nyV<Aaj»»MMi; 


I.MI  or  T»  tmio  o»Bif]nmeB. 


fS 


ing  rayi  of  the  lun,  and  no  vessel  appoaring  to  save  ut,  our 
water  fast  diminishing,  as  well  as  our  strength,  every  hope 
of  succour  by  meeting  with  a  vessel  entirely  failed  me,  so 
that  in  the  afternoon  of  the  ^d  of  September,  1  represented 
to  my  companions,  that  as  we  were  still  alive,  aAer  enduring  so 
many  trials,  it  was  my  advice  to  put  about,  and  make  towards 
the  coast  again;  that  if  we  continued  at  sea,  we  must  inevit- 
ably  perish,  and  that  we  could  but  perish  in  returning  towards 
the  land  ;  that  we  might  still  exist  four  or  five  days  longer,  by 
means  of  the  water  and  provisions  that  remained,  anc  that  it 
might  be  the  will  of  Providence  to  send  us  on  the  coast  where 
our  vessel  had  been  wrecked,  and  where  means  were  perhaps 
prepared  to  bring  about  our  deliverance  and  restoration  to  our 
country  and  our  families.  All  seemed  convinced  that  it  was 
so,  and  we  Immediately  put  about  with  a  k*nd  of  cheerfulness  I 
had  not  observed  in  any  countenance  since  our  first  disaster." 

On  the  morning  of  the  7th  they  discovered  land  which  again 
revived  their  drooping  spirits.  The  coast  appeared  to  be 
formed  of  perpendicular  and  overhanging  clifls,  with  no  shel- 
ving shore  to  land  on,  and  the  surf  breaking  high  among  the 
rocks.  Seeing  a  small  spot  which  bore  the  appearance  of  a 
beach,  they  made  for  it,  and  were  carried  on  the  top  of  a  tre^ 
mendous  wave  high  and  dry  on  the  shore.  Behind  them,  in  the 
track  they  came,  fragments  of  rocks  showed  their  craggy  heads, 
over  which  the  surf  foamed  as  it  retired  with  a  dreadful  roar- 
ing which  made  them  feel  that  they  had  once  more  escaped 
destruction,  as  it  were,  by  Divine  interference. 

On  the  next  morning  they  set  out  from  the  place  where  they 
had  been  cast,  which  as  it  afterwards  appeared  was  Cape  Bar- 
has,  near  Cape  Blanco.  They  proceeded  easterly,  keeping 
close  to  the  water's  edge,  as  the  land  was  nearly  perpendicu- 
lar, rising  to  a  height  of  from  five  to  six  hundred  feet.  "  At  one 
place,"  says  Capt.  Riley,  *'  we  were  obliged  to  climb  along  on 
a  narrow  ledge  of  rocks,  between  forty  and  fifty  feet  high,  and 
3ot  more  than  eight  inches  broad;  those  at  our  backs  were  per- 
pendicular, and  a  little  higher  up,  huge  pieces  that  had  been 
broken  off  from  near  the  surface,  and  stopped  on  their  way 
down  by  other  fragments,  seemed  to  totter,  as  if  on  a  pivot, 
directly  over  our  heads  ;  while  the  least  slip  must  have  plung- 
ed us  into  the  frightful  abyss  below,  where  the  foaming  surges 


X' 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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LMf  or   THS   11110   COMMIECB. 


under  these  towering  rliffs,  there  was  not  a  breath  of  ait  to 
fan  our  almost  boiling  blood.  I  had,  in  crawling  through  one 
of  the  holes  between  the  rocks,  broke  my  bottle,  and  spilled 
the  little  water  it  contained,  and  my  tongue  cleaving  to  the 
roof  of  my  mouth,  was  as  useless  as  a  dry  stick,  until  I  wai 
enabled  to  loosen  it  by  a  few  drops  of  my  more  than  a  dozen 
times  distilled  urine.'' 

Oc  the  third  day,  afler  their  landing,  they  encountered  a 
large  company  of  Arabs,  who  were  watering  their  camels. 
The  shipwrecked  mariners  bowed  themselves  to  the  ground 
with  every  mark  of  submissson,  and  by  signs,  implored  their 
compassion,  but  in  vain.  The  whole  party  were  in  an  instant 
stripped  naked  to  the  skin,  and  the  Arabs  began  to  fight  most 
furiously  for  the  booty,  and  especially  for  getting  possession 
of  the  ,.risoners.  "  Six  or  eight  of  them,''  says  Capt.  Riley, 
"  were  about  me,  one  hauling  me  one  way,  and  one  another. 
The  one  who  stripped  Dick,  the  black  man,  and  myself,  stuck 
to  us  as  his  lawful  property,  signifying,  '  you  may  have  the 
others,  these  are  mine.'  They  cut  at  each  other  over  my 
head,  and,  on  every  side  of  me  with  their  weapons,  which 
fairly  whizzed  through  the  air  within  an  inch  of  my  naked 
body,  and  on  every  side  of  me,  now  hacking  each  other's  arms 
apparently  to  the  bone,  then  laying  their  ribs  bare  with  gashes, 
while  their  heads,  hands,  and  thighs,  received  a  full  share  of 
cuta  and  wounds.  The  blood  streaming  from  every  gash,  ran 
down  their  bodies  coloring  and  heightening  the  natural  hide- 
ousnbss  of  their  appearance.  I  had  expected  to  be  cut  to 
pieces  in  this  dreadful  affray,  but  was  not  injured 

"Those  who  were  not  actually  engaged  in  combat,  seized  the 
occasion,  and  snatched  away  the  clothing  in  Dick's  bundle, 
so  that  when  the  fight  was  over,  he  had  nothing  left  but  his 
master's  blanket.  This  battle  and  contest  lasted  for  nearly  an 
hour — brother  cutting  brother,  friend  slashing  friend.  Hap- 
pily for  them,  their  scimitars  were  not  very  sharp,  s^  that 
when  thev  rubbed  off  the  dried  blood  from  their  bodies  after- 
wards  with  sand,  their  wounds  were  not  so  great  or  deep  as  I 
expected  they  would  be,  and  they  did  not  pay  the  least  appa- 
ent  attention  to  them.  I  had  no  time  to  see  what  they  were 
tioing  with  my  shipmates  :  only  myself  and  the  cuok  were 
near  each  other. 

"  The  battle  over,  I  saw  my  distressed  companions  divided 
among  the  Arabs,  and  all  going  towards  the  drove  of  camels, 
though  they  were  at  some  distance  from  me.  We  two  were 
delivered  into  the  hands  of  two  old  women,  who  urged  ut  q9 


m  BRIG  coMinnr?! 


•7 


with  sticks  toward  J  the  camels.  Nnked  nr  ".fifffoot  I  could 
not  go  very  fast,  and  showed  the  womon  iriv  mmr  h,  which  wan 
parched  white  as  frost,  and  without  a  sign  r'"  *r>oist  ire.  When 
we  got  near  the  well,  one  of  the  women  ':ailo<i  for  another, 
who  came  to  us  with  a  wooden  bowl,  that  heM.  T  should  guees^ 
about  a  gallon  of  water,  and  setting  it  on  th«  ground,  made 
myself  and  Dick  kneel  down  and  put  our  head^^  into  it  like 
camels.  I  drank  I  suppose  half  a  gallon^  'loagh  (  had  been 
very  particular  in  cautioning  the  men  against  (i  inking  wo 
much  at  a  time,  in  case  they  ever  came  to  water  I  now  ex- 
perienced how  much  easier  it  was  to  preach  thm  to  practise 
aright.  They  then  led  us  to  the  well,  the  wa'er  of  which  was 
nearly  as  black  and  disgusting  as  stale  bilge  water.  A  large 
bowl  was  now  filled  with  it,  and  a  little  sour  ca  riel'g  milk 
poured  from  a  goat  skin  into  it  ;  this  tasted  to  me  delicious, 
and  we  all  drank  of  it  till  our  stomachs  were  1  ierai'y  filled. 
But  this  intemperance  very  soon  produced  a  violent  diarrhcea  ; 
the  consequences  of  which,  however,  were  not  very  trouble- 
some, and  as  our  situation  was  similar  to  that  of  a  beast,  being 
totally  divested  of  clothing,  all  we  cared  about  was  to  slake 
our  unabating  thirst,  and  replenish  our  stomachs  by  *  neated 
draughts  of  this  washy  and  unwholesome  swill. 

"  We  now  begged  for  something  to  eat,  but  thise  A;  abh  had 
''othing  for  themselves,  and  seemed  very  sorry  it  was  not  in 
t.x'ir  power  to  give  us  some  food.  There  were  at  and  about 
the  v^ell  I  should  reckon  aoout  one  hundred  persons,  men, 
women,  snd  children,  and  from  four  to  five  hundred  camels, 
large  and  sniall.  The  sun  beat  very  fiercely  upon  us,  and  our 
skins  seemed  actually  to  fry  like  meat  before  the  fire.  These 
people  continued  to  draw  water  for  their  camels,  of  which  the 
animals  drank  enormous  quaniities.  It  was  about  10  o^clock 
A.  M.  as  I  judged  by  the  sun,  when  one  company  of  the 
i  rabs  having  finished  watering,  separated  their  camels  from 
among  the  others,  and  took  Messrs.  Williams,  Robbins,  Porter, 
Hogan,  Barrett,  and  Burns,  mounted  the  n  on  the  bare  backs 
of  the  camels  behind  the  hump^  by  the  hair  of  which  they 
were  obliged  to  steady  themselves  and  hold  on,  without  know* 
ing  whither  they  were  going,  or  if  I  should  ever  see  them 
again.  I  took  an  affectionate  leave  of  them.  This  their  Arab 
masters  permitted  me  to  do  without  interruption,  and  could 
not  help  showing,  at  this  scene,  that  the  feelings  of  humanity 
were  not  totally  extinguished  in  their  bosoms.  They  then 
hurried  them  off,  and  ascending  through  the  hollow  or  creYiet 
towards  the  faoe  of  the  desart,  thev  were  all  soon  out  of  i 

TOL.    I  i 


f^«^.«i»'^*aiB^ 


ss 


it 


LO«l   OF   THB    BRIG   COMMBRCI. 


"  There  remained  with  the  party  to  which  !  belonged,  Mi 
Savage,  Clark,  Horace,  and  Dick  the  cook.     Mr.  Savage 
was  permitted  to  retain  an  old  Guernsey  frock,  and  part  of  a 
pair  of  trowsers  about  his  middle,  which  they  had  not  pulled 
off:  but  the  rest  of  us  were  entirely  stripped. 

"  We  were  forced  to  walk  and  to  drive  the  camels  and  keep 
them  together,  whilst  the  sand  was  so  sofl  and  yielding,  that 
we  sunk  into  it  every  step  nearly  to  our  knees.  The  blazing 
heat  of  the  sun's  rays  darting  on  our  naked  bodies,  and  reflect- 
ed from  the  sand  we  waded  through  ;  the  sharp  pointed  craggy 
rocks  and  stones  that  cut  our  feet  and  legs  to  the  bone,  in  ad- 
dition to  our  excessive  weakness  which  the  dysentery  had  in- 
creased, rendered  our  passage  up  through  this  chasm  or  hol- 
low much  more  severe  than  any  thing  of  the  kind  we  had  be- 
fore undergone,  and  nearly  deprived  us  of  life.  For  my  own 
part  I  thought  I  must  have  died  before  I  could  reach  the  sum- 
mit, and  was  obliged  to  stop  in  the  sand,  until  by  an  applica- 
tion of  a  stick  to  my  sore  back  by  our  drivers,  I  was  forced 
up  to  its  level ;  and  there  they  made  the  camels  lie  down  and 
rest. 

"  Having  now  selected  five  camels  for  the  purpose,  one  for 
each  of  us,  they  put  us  on  behind  the  humps,  to  which  we 
were  obliged  to  cling  by  grasping  its  long  hair  with  both 
hands.  The  back  bone  of  the  one  I  was  set  on  was  only 
covered  with  skin,  and  as  sharp  as  the  edge  of  an  oar's  blade  ; 
his  belly,  distended  with  water,  made  him  perfectly  smooth, 
leaving  no  projection  of  the  hips  to  keep  me  from  sliding  off 
behind,  and  his  back  or  rump  being  as  steep  as  the  roof  of  a 
house,  and  so  broad  across  as  to  keep  my  legs  extended  to 
their  utmost  stretch.  I  was  in  this  manner  slipping  down  to 
his  tail  every  moment.  I  was  forced  however  to  keep  on, 
while  the  camel,  rendered  extremely  restive  at  the  sight  c  f  his 
strange  rider,  was  all  the  time  running  about  among  the 
drove,  and  making  a  most  woful  bellowing,  and  as  they  have 
neither  bridle,  halter,  or  any  other  thing  whereby  to  guide  or 
govern  them,  all  I  had  to  do  was  to  stick  on  as  we)^  as  I 
could  ■  ^.  '    '  v^  -:.•; 

"  The  heavy  motions  of  the  camel,  not  unlike  that  of  a  small 
vessel  in  a  heavy  head-beat  sea,  were  so  violent,  aided  by  the 
sharp  back  bone,  as  soon  to  excoriate  certain  parts  of  my 
naked  body  ;  the  inside  of  my  thighs  and  legs  were  also  dread- 
fully chafed,  so  that  the  blood  dripped  from  mv  heels,  while 
the  intense  heat  of  the  sun  had  scorched  and  blistered  out 
bodies  and  the  outside  of  our  legs,  so  thai  we  were  corero^ 


bOM  99  TBB  BRIO  OOMMBROB. 


irith  fOres,  and  without  any  thin^;  to  administer  reli/<!  Thu0 
uleeding  and  smarting  under  the  most  excruciating  pain,  we 
continued  to  advance  in  a  S.  K.  direction  on  a  plain  flat  hard 
surface  of  sand,  gravel,  and  rock,  covereu  with  small  sharp 
stones.  It  seemed  as  if  our  bones  would  be  dislocated  at 
every  step.  Hungry  and  thirsty,  the  night  came  on,  and  no 
indication  of  stopping ;  the  cold  night  wind  began  to  blow, 
chilling  our  blood,  which  ceased  to  trickle  down  our  lacerated 
legs  ;  bui  although  it  saved  our  blood,  yet  acting  on  our 
blistered  skins,  increased  our  pains  beyond  description.  We 
begged  to  be  permitted  to  get  off,  but  the  women  paid  no  atten- 
tion to  our  distress  and  entreaties,  intent  only  on  getting  for- 
ward. We  designedly  slipped  off  the  camels  when  going  at  a 
full  trot,  risking  to  break  our  necks  by  the  fall,  and  tried  to 
excite  their  compassion  and  get  a  drink  of  water,  (which  they 
call  sherub)  but  they  paid  no  attention  to  our  prayers,  and 
kept  the  camels  running  faster  than  before. 

"  1  .lis  was  the  first  time  I  had  attempted  to  walk  barefooted 
since  I  was  a  schoolboy  :  we  were  obliged  to  keep  up  with 
the  camels,  running  over  the  stones,  which  were  nearly  aa 
sharp  as  gun  flints,  and  cutting  our  feet  to  the  bone  at  every 
step.  It  was  here  that  my  fortitude  and  philosophy  failed  to 
support  me  ;  I  cursed  my  fate  aloud,  and  wished  I  had  rushed 
into  the  seft  before  I  gave  myself  up  to  these  merciless  beings 
in  human  forms — it  was  now  too  late.  I  would  have  put  an 
immediate  end  to  my  existence,  but  had  neither  knife  nor  any 
other  weapon  with  which  to  perform  the  deed.  I  searched 
for  a  stone,  intending  if  I  could  find  a  loose  one  sufficiently 
large,  to  knock  out  my  own  brains  with  it ;  but  searched  in 
vain.  This  paroxysm  passed  off  in  a  minute  or  two,  when 
reason  returned,  and  I  recollected  that  my  life  was  in  the  hand 
of  the  power  that  gave  it,  and  that  "  the  Judge  of  all  the  earth 
would  do  right."  Then  running  with  all  my  remaining  might 
I  soon  came  up  with  the  camels,  regardless  of  my  feet  and  of 
pain,  and  felt  perfectly  resigned  and  willing  to  submit  to  the 
Tvill  of  Providence  and  the  fate  that  awaited  me. 

"  From  that  time  forward,  through  all  my  succeeding  trials 
and  sufferings,  1  never  once  murmured  in  my  heart,  but  at  all 
times  kept  my  spirits  up,  doing  the  utmost  to  obey  and  please 
those  whom  fortune,  fate,  or  an  overruling  Providence  had 
placed  oTer  me,  and  to  persuade,  both  by  precept  and  prac- 
tice, my  unhappy  comrades  to  do  the  same.  I  had,  with  my 
companiousy  cried  aloud  with  pain,  and  begged  our  SBTBga 
irifrt  for  mercy^  md  when  we  had  ceastd  to  miika  a  bolm, 


100 


Mil  OF  THS  BKIO  COMlIimOB 


fearing)  M  A  were,  to  lose  us  in  the  d&zk,  they  stopped  the 
cunels,  and  again  placing  us  on  them  as  before^  drove  them 
on  at  full  speed  until  about  midnight,  when  we  entered  a 
smp^l  dell  or  valley,  excavated  by  the  hand  of  nature,  a  little 
below  the  surface  of  the  desart,  about  from  fifteen  to  twenty 
feet  deep.  Here  they  stopped  the  camels,  and  made  them 
lie  down,  bidding  us  to  do  the  same.  I  judge  we  must  here 
travelled  forty  miles  this  day  to  the  S.  E.  :  the  place  was 
hard  and  rocky,  not  even  sand  to  lie  on,  nor  any  covering  to 
shelter  us  or  keep  off  the  cold  damp  wind  that  blew  strong 
from  the  sea. 

^^  They  soon  set  about  milking,  and  then  gave  us  each  about 
a  pint  of  pure  milk,  warm  from  the  camels,  taking  great  care 
to  divide  it  for  us  ;  it  warmed  our  stomachs,  quenched  our 
thirst  in  some  measure,  and  allayed  in  a  small  degree  the 
cravings  of  hunger.  Mr.  Savage  had  been  separated  from 
us,  and  I  learned  from  him  afterwards  that  he  fared  better 
than  we  did,  having  had  a  larger  allowance  of  milk.  Clark, 
Horace,  and  Dick  the  cook  were  still  with  me  We  lay  down 
on  the  ground  as  close  to  each  other  as  we  could,  on  the 
sharp  stones,  without  any  lee  to  fend  off  the  wind  from  us  ; 
our  bodies  all  over  blistered  and  mangled,  the  stones  piercing 
through  the  sore  naked  flesh  to  the  ribs  and  other  bones. 
These  distresses,  and  our  sad  and  desponding  feflections, 
rendered  this  one  of  the  longest  and  most  dismal  nights  ever 
passed  by  any  human  beings.  We  kept  shifting  berths,  striv- 
ing to  keep  off  some  of  the  cold  during  the  night,  while  sleep, 
thaw  had  hitherto  relieved  our  distresses  and  fatigues,  f!ed 
from  us  in  spite  of  all  our  efforts  and  solicitude  to  embrace  it ; 
nor  were  we  able  to  close  our  eyes. 

"  On  the  morning  of  Sept.  13th  I  saw  Mr.  Williams;  he 
was  mounted  on  a  camel,  and  had  been  riding  with  the  drove 
about  three  hours.  I  hobbled  along  towards  him  ;  his  camel 
■topped,  and  I  was  enabled  to  take  him  by  the  hand — he  was 
still  entirely  naked  ;  his  skin  had  been  burned  off;  his  whole 
body  was  so  excessively  inflamed  and  swelled,  as  well  as  his 
face,  that  I  only  knew  him  by  his  voice,  which  was  very  feeble 
He  told  me  he  had  been  obliged  to  sleep  naked  in  the  open 
air  ev«*ry  night;  that  his  life  was  fast  wasting  away  amidst  the 
most  dreadml  torments;  that  he  could  not  live  one  day  more 
in  Bucn  misery  ;  that  his  mistress  had  taken  pity  on  him,  and 
anointed  his  body  that  morning  with  butter  or  grease,  but, 
■aid  he,  *1  cannot  live;  should  you  ever  get  clear  from  thif 
4r<Nuiful  place,  and  be  restored  to  your  country,  tell  my  dem 


^1    i 


LOSS   OF   THE   BRIO   COMMIRCB 


101 


irife  that  my  last  breath  was  spont  in  prayers  for  her  happiness 
He  could  s  y  no  more;  tears  and  sobs  choked  his  utterance. 
"  His  master  arrived  at  tliis  tiinr,  and  <irino  on  his  camel,  and 
I  could  only  say  to  him,  'Gad  Ainu^hly  bless  you,'  as  1  took 
a  last  look  at  him,  and  forgot,  for  a  moment,  vvliiie  contem- 
plating his  extreme  distress,  my  own  misery.  His  camel  \»as 
large,  and  moved  forward  with  very  heavy  motions  ;  as  he 
went  from  me,  1  could  see  the  inside  of  his  legs  and  thighs-- 
they  hung  in  strings  of  torn  and  chafed  liesh — the  blood  was 
trickling  down  the  sides  of  the  camel,  and  off  his  feet — '  my 
God  ! '  I  cried,  *  suffer  us  to  live  no  longer  in  such  tor- 
tures.' 

"  Om  the  21st  Sept.  two  strangers  arrived  at  the  valley 
where  we  had  encamped  for  the  day,  riding  two  camels  load- 
ed with  goods.  They  came  in  front  of  my  master's  tent,  and 
having  made  the  camels  lie  down,  they  dismounted,  and  seat- 
ed themselves  on  the  ground  opposite  the  tent,  with  their  faces 
turned  the  other  way.  All  the  men  had  gone  out  in  pursuit 
of  plunder,  carrying  their  arms  with  them.  The  women  went 
out  to  see  the  strangers,  carryijig  a  large  skin  with  a  roll  of 
tent  cloth  to  make  them  a  shelter; — The  strangers  rose  and 
saluted  them  ;  the  women  returned  their  salutations,  and  after 
a  few  minutes  conversation,  they  proceeded  to  unload  the 
camels,  and  formed  a  tent  of  the  sail  cloth,  for  the  accommo- 
dation of  their  visitors.  On  their  return  to  our  tent  they  in-*' 
formed  me  that  Sidi  Hamet  had  come  with  blankets  and  blue 
cloth  to  .sell, — that  he  came  from  the  Sultan's  dominions,  and 
that  he  could  buy  me  and  carry  me  there  if  he  chose,  where  I 
might  find  my  friends  and  kiss  my  wife  and  children. 

"  The  morning  after  Sidi  Hamet  came  towards  our  tent  and 
beckoned  me  to  go  with  him.  We  proceeded  a  little  distance 
and  sat  down  on  the  ground.  1  had  by  this  time,  learned  so 
much  of  leir  language,  that  I  could  comprehend  the  general 
current  a'  their  conversation,  by  paying  strict  attention.  He 
oegan  to  question  me  about  my  country,  and  the  manner  in 
which  I  had  come  there.  I  made  him  understand  that  I  was 
an  Englishman,  and  my  vessel  and  crew  were  of  the  same  na- 
tion. 1  found  he  had  heard  of  that  country,  and  I  stated  as 
well  as  1  could  the  manner  of  my  shipwreck — told  him  we  were 
reduced  to  the  lowest  depth  of  misery;  that  I  had  a  wife  and 
five  children  in  my  own  country,  besides  Horace,  whom  I 
called  my  eldest  son,  mingling  with  my  story  sighs  and  tears, 
and  all  the  signs  of  afTection  and  despair  which  these  reooUeo 
tioQs  and  my  present  sitaation  naturally  called  forth 


ii 


!1 


If 


^i^-f 


lot 


LOfI  OF   THB    BRIO   OOMMBRCB 


"  I  found  him  to  be  a  very  nilelligent  and  feeling  man — for 
tithough  he  knew  no  language  but  the  Arabic,  hu  compre- 
hended 8o  well  what  I  wished  to  coniinunicato,  thttt  he  act- 
ually siied  tears  at  the  recital  of  my  distresses,  notwithstand- 
ing that,  among  the  Arabs,  weeping  is  regarded  as  a  woman- 
ish weakness.  He  seemed  to  be  ashamed  of  his  own  want  of 
fortitude,  and  said  that  men  who  had  beards  like  him,  ought 
not  to  shed  tears  ;  and  he  retired,  wiping  his  eyes. 

"  Finding  1  had  awakened  his  sympathy,  I  thought  if  I  could 
rojse  his  interest  by  large  offers  of  money,  he  might  buy  me 
and  my  companions,  and  carry  us  up  from  the  desart — so  ac- 
cordingly the  first  time  1  saw  him  alone,  I  went  to  him  and 
begged  him  to  buy  me,  and  carry  me  to  the  suhan  of  Mo- 
rocco or  Marocksh,  where  I  could  find  a  friend  to  redeem  me. 
He  said  no,  but  he  would  carry  me  to  Swearah,  describing  it 
as  a  walled  town  and  seaport.  I  told  him  I  had  seen  the  sul- 
tan, and  that  he  was  a  friend  to  my  nation.  He  then  asked  me 
many  other  questions  about  Mohammed  Rassool.  1  bowed 
and  pointed  to  the  east,  then  towards  heaven,  as  \{  I  thought 
he  had  ascended  there  :  this  seemed  to  pleaso  him,  and  he 
ssked  me  how  much  money  I  would  give  him  to  carry  me  up; 
upon  which  I  counted  over  fifly  pieces  of  stones,  signifying  I 
would  give  as  many  dollars  for  myself  and  each  of  my  men. 
*  I  will  not  buy  the  others,'  said  he,  '  but  how  much  more 
than  fifly  dollars  will  you  give  me  for  yourself,  if  I  buy  you 
and  carry  you  to  your  friends  ?'  I  told  him  one  hundred  dol- 
lars. *  Have  you  any  money  in  Swearah,'  asked  he  by  signs 
and  words,  *  or  do  you  mean  to  make  me  wait  till  you  get  it 
from  your  country?'  I  replied  that  my  friend  in  Swearab 
would  give  him  the  money  so  soon  as  he  brought  me  there 
'  You  are  deceiving  me,'  said  he.  I  made  the  most  solemn 
protestations  of  my  sincerity : — '  I  will  buy  you  then,*  said  . 
he,  *  but  remember,  if  you  deceive  me  I  will  cut  your  throat,' 
(making  a  motion  to  that  effect.)  This  I  assented  to,  and 
begged  of  h^m  to  buy  my  son  Horace  also,  hut  he  would  not 
hear  a  word  about  any  of  my  companions,  as  it  would  be  im- 
possible, he  said,  to  get  them  up  off  the  desart,  which  was  a 
great  distance.  *  Say  nothing  about  it  to  your  old  master,' 
signified  he  to  me,  '  nor  to  my  brother,  or  any  of  the  others.' 
He  then  leil  me,  and  I  went  out  to  seek  for  snails  to  relieve 
my  hunger.  I  saw  Messrs.  Savage  and  Hogan,  and  brought 
them  with  Clark  near  Sidi  Hamet's  tent,  where  we  sat  down 
on  the  «•-'*""''      "«  came  out  to  see  us,  miserable  objects  aa 

t  my  much  diocked  at  the  aight.    I  to)4 


LOSS   OF    TBB    BRIO   COMMBECl 


lOS 


ny  companions  I  had  great  hopes  we  shotild  be  bought  bj 
this  man  and  carried  up  to  the  cultivated  country — but  they 
expressed  great  fears  that  they  would  be  left  behind.  Sidi 
Hamet  asked  me  many  questions  about  my  men — wished  to 
know  if  any  of  them  had  dind,  and  if  they  had  wives  and  chil- 
dren. I  tried  all  1  cotild  to  interest  him  in  their  behalf,  as 
well  as  my  own,  and  mentioned  to  him  my  son,  whom  he  had 
rot  yet  seen."  After  c(>nsideral)le  altercation,  Sidi  Hamet 
and  his  brother  Seid  finally  siicxet-dtid  in  purchasing  five  of 
the  unfortunate  captives,  viz  :  Capt.  Riley,  Savage,  Clark, 
Burns,  and  Horace. 

**  The  26th  was  spent  in  preparing  for  our  depart  .ire.  We 
slaughtered  a  came!  as  provisions  for  the  journey,  and  our 
master  fitted  us  with  sandals  made  of  the  camel's  skin.  They 
had^  in  the  morning,  given  me  a  small  knife  which  1  hung  lf» 
my  neck  in  a  case, — this  they  meant  as  a  mark  of  cotifidence. 
and  they  also  gave  me  charge  of  their  stuff,  the  camels  and 
slaves.  I  soon  perceived,  however,  that  although  I  had  this 
kind  of  command,  yet  I  was  obliged  to  do  all  the  work.  My 
men  were  so  far  exhausted,  that  even  the  hope  of  soon  obtain- 
ing their  liberty  could  scarcely  animate  them  to  the  least 
exertion. 

"  Sidi  Hamet  told  me  that  in  the  morning  we  should  start  fo- 
Swearah,  and  that  he  hoped  through  the  blessing  of  God,  I 
should  once  more  embrace  my  family  ;  he  then  told  me  how 
much  he  had  paid  for  each  one  of  us — that  he  had  expended 
all  his  property,  and  that  if  I  had  not  told  him  the  tru^b,  he 
was  a  ruined  man — that  his  brother  was  a  bad  man,  ant'  ^^ad 
done  all  he  could  to  prevent  his  buying  us,  but  that  he  had  a. 
last  consented  to  it,  and  taken  a  share. 

"  He  next  made  me  repeat,  before  his  brother,  my  promises 
to  him  when  we  should  arrive  .at  Swearah,  and  my  agreement 
to  have  my  throat  cut  if  my  woras  did  not  prove  true.  At 
daylight  on  the  morning  of  the  28th  we  were  called  up  to  load 
the  camels.  Sidi  Hamet  and  Seid  had  two  old  ones  on  which 
they  rode,  and  they  had  brought  also  a  young  one  that  had 
not  been  broke  for  riding.  We  were  joined  here  by  a  young 
Arab  nanipd  Abdallah  :  he  had  been  Mr.  Savage's  master 
and  owned  a  camel,  and  a  couple  of  goat  skins  to  carry  water 
in  ;  but  these,  as  well  as  those  of  our  masters  were  entirely 
empty.  Sidi  Hamet  had  a  kind  of  pack  saddle  for  each  of 
his  old  camels  ;  but  nothing  to  cover  the  bones  of  his  young 
ones.  Having  fitted  them  as  well  as  he  could,  (for  he  seem- 
ed to  be  humane)  he  placed  Mr.  Savage,  Burnsj  and  Uoracd^ 


^Tpjlp 


164 


LOSS  or  TnR  hrio  commbroi. 


!Ii! 


f  fit' 


on  the  big  one,  and  niyaulf  anH  Clnrk  on  the  old  one  Seid 
ftnd  Abdallnh  took  their  scats  ^^n  the  one  which  belonged  to 
Abdallah,  and  8idi  Harnet  mounted  the  young  one  himself  to 
break  hun,  sitting  behind  the  hump  on  his  bare  back  ;  and 
thus  arranged  and  equipped,  \vc  sot  off  on  a  fjll  and  long 
stnding  trot.  It  was  about  nine  A.  M.  when  we  had  mount- 
ed ;  and  this  trot  had  continued  for  about  three  hours,  when 
we  stopped  a  few  minutes  in  a  little  valley  to  adjust  our  sad 
c  es.  Here  Sidi  Hamet  pulled  out  a  check  shirt  from  one  ot 
his  bags  and  gave  it  me,  'leclaring  he  had  stolen  it,  and  had 
tried  to  get  another  for  Horace,  hut  had  not  been  aide  :  '  put  it 
on,'  said  he,  *  your  poor  back  needs  a  covering;'  (it  being  then 
one  entire  sore.)  I  kissed  his  hand  in  gratitude,  and  thanked 
him  and  my  Heavenly  Father  for  this  mercy.  Clark,  a  day 
or  two  before,  had  got  a  piece  of  an  old  sail,  that  partly  cover 
ed  him — Burns  had  an  old  jacket,  and  Horace  and  Mr.  Sav- 
age, a  small  goat  skin  added  to  their  dress — so  that  we  were 
all,  comparatively,  comfortably  clad.  We  did  not  stop  here 
long,  but  mounted  again,  and  proceeded  on  our  course  to  the 
E.  S.  E.  on  a  full  trot,  which  was  continued  till  night  ;  when, 
coming  to  a  little  valley,  we  found  some  thorn  bushes  and 
halted  for  the  night. 

"  Here  we  kindled  a  fire,  and  our  r.^nsters  gave  us  a  few 
mouthfuls  of  the  camel's  meat,  which  we  roasted  and  ate.  As 
we  had  '  '  k  no  water  for  the  last  three  days,  except  a  very 
little  of  t  we  had  taken  from  the  camel's  paunch,  and 
which  was  now  reduced  to  about  four  quarts,  we,  as  well  as 
our  masters,  suffered  exceedingly  for  the  want  of  it,  and  it  was 
thereupon  determined  to  make  an  equal  distribution  of  it 
among  the  whole  party  ;  which  was  accordingly  done  with  an 
impartial  hand.  This  we,  poor  sufferers,  made  out  to  swal- 
low, foul  and  ropy  as  it  was,  and  it  considerably  relieved  our 
parched  throats  ;  and  then,  finding  a  good  shelter  under  a 
thornbush,  notwithstanding  our  unabated  pains  we  got  a  tol- 
erable night's  sleep." 

They  continued  traveling  in  the  desart,  enduring  all  the 
raiseries  of  hunger,  thirst,  and  fatigue,  until  they  reached 
Wadinoon.  Here  Sidi  Hamet  told  Capt.  Riley  that  he  must 
write  a  letter  to  his  friend  at  Swearah,  giving  him  a  scrap  of 
paper,  a  reed,  and  some  black  liquor, — and  that  he  would 
set  out  the  next  morning  with  it.  Capt.  Kiley  begged  hare 
to  be  taken  Along  with  him  ;  but  he  would  not  consent.  He 
briefly  wrote  the  circumstances  of  the  loss  of  the  vessel 
hu  captivity,  &c.  adding,  ^'  worn  down  to  the  bones  by  the 


Lotft  or  THft  nnio  commbaoa. 


106 


mofit  dreadful  of  all  sufTeringii — naked  and  a  alavc,  1  implore 
your  pity,  and  trust  that  such  distress  will  not  be  suffered  to 
plead  in  vain."  Tho  letter  was  addressed  to  "  the  English^ 
French,  Spanish,  or  American  Consuls,  or  any  Christian 
merchants  in  Magadore." 

They  remained  here  seven  days  shut  up  in  an  enclosure 
with  sheep,  cows  and  asses,  in  the  day  time,  and  in  the  night 
they  were  locked  up  in  a  cellar.  On  the  eighth  day  after  the 
departure  of  Sidi  Hamet,  a  Moor,  (Rais  bel  Cossim)  entered 
the  enclosure  bearing  a  letter  from  Mr.  Willshire,  communica 
ting  the  thrice  happy  intelligence,  that  he  would  advance  the 
sum  of  one  thousand  dollars  to  redeem  them  from  slavery; 
and  that  Sidi  Hamet  had  remained  with  him  as  a  hostage  for 
their  safe  arrival.  He  also  forwarded  them  a  present  of 
clothes,  provisions  and  spirits  that  they  might  enjoy  a  foretaste 
of  returning  liberty 

**  My  feelings,"  says  Capt.  Riley,  *'  on  reading  this  letter 
may  perhaps  be  conceived,  but  I  cannot  attempt  to  describe 
them  ;  to  form  an  idea  of  my  emotions  at  that  time,  it  is  neces- 
sary for  the  reader  to  transport  himself  in  imagination  to  the 
country  where  I  then  was,  also  a  wretched  slave,  and  to  fancy 
himself  as  having  passed  through  all  the  dangers  and  distresses 
that  I  had  experienced ;  reduced  to  the  lowest  pitch  of  human 
wretchedness,  degradation  and  despair,  a  skinless  skeleton, 
expecting  death  at  every  instant,  then  let  him  fancy  himself 
receiving  such  a  letter  from  a  perfect  stranger,  whose  name  he 
had  never  before  heard,  and  from  a  place  where  there  was 
not  an  individual  creature  that  had  ever  before  heard  of  his 
existence,  and  in  one  of  the  most  barbarous  regions  of  the 
habitable  globe :  let  him  receive  at  the  same  time  clothes  to 
cover  and  defend  his  naked,  emaciated,  and  trembling  frame, 
shoes  for  his  mangled  feet,  and  such  provisions  as  he  had 
been  accustomed  to  in  his  happier  days — let  him  find  a  sooth- 
ing and  sympathizing  friend  in  a  barbarian,  and  one  who  spoke 
perfectly  well  the  language  of  a  Christian  nation  ;  and  with 
al.  this,  let  him  beheld  a  prospect  of  r  speedy  liberation, 
and  restoration  to  his  beloved  family  : — Aere  let  him  pause, 
and  his  heart  must,  like  mine,  expand  near  to  bursting  with 
gratitude  to  his  all-wise  and  beneficent  Creator,  who  had  up- 
held hid  tottering  frame,  and  preserved  in  his  bosom  the  vital 
spark,  while  he  conducted  him,  with  unerring  wisdom  and 
goodnegs,  through  the  greatest  perils  and  sufferings,  by  a  con- 
tinued miracle,  and  now  prepared  the  heart  of  a  stranger  u 
tccompliah  what  had  been  before  determined.** 
TOl.  I.  6* 


1;. 


I 


106 


LOSS  OP  THR  nnio  commkroe 


The  Mooi;  llais  bol  Cossiin,  Sidi,  Ivlobammed,  and  Seid, 
their  iimstei',  then  took  ch;ugu  <.;l  tli;.'iii  to  couchict  th(!Oi 
to  Svveurah,  Miihis  wore  pruvicKni  lor  the  piirposo,  and  as 
soon  tis  thoy  wva'o  on  the  road,  iiais  Ix;!  Co.ssini  bog-ged  of 
Cant.  Kih'.y  to  ^ivo  l»in»  an  account  of  liicir  niLst'ortunes  and 
sunerin^'s,  and  by  wlii'.t  niirucle  tlieir  Ihcs  hud  been  [)re- 
served. 

"I  satisfied  his  curiosity, "  says  Capt.  Riley,  "as  well  as  I 
could,  by  a  short  nai'ration  of  the  )no.>t  prominLiit  occurreiu^es. 
When  1  iiad  linisiied,  he  raised  his  (^ycs  towai<ls  heav<'n  with 
an  air  and  expression  of  true  devotion,  and  exchiinied  m  S])an- 
ish,  'Praised  be  God,  lie  most  hi^^'ii  and  lioly  !  for  his  j^ood- 
ness':  then,  addr(>ssin;.;  himself  to  nie,  he  remarked,  '  Y.ou 
have,  indeed,  been  presui'ved  most  wonderfully  by  the  pecu- 
liar protection  and  assistance  of  an  overruiin<>' Piovidence,  and 
must  be  a  particular  favourite  of  heaven:  Inere  never  was  an 
instance  (added  he)  of  a  Christian's  passing'  the  g-i"e;»t  desei't 
for  sucii  a  distance  before,  and  you  are  no  doubt  d(^.stined  to 
do  some  great  good  in  the  world  ;  and  may  the  AlHii;;'i)ty  con- 
tinue to  pi'oserve  yoii,  and  i-cstore  you  to  yom*  distresNcd  fam- 
ily. Sidi  Hamet  (added  he)  admired  your  conduct,  courage, 
and  intelligence,  and  says  they  ai'e  more  tlian  human — that 
God  is  with  you  in  all  your  transactions,  and  has  blessed  him 
for  your  sake.'  I  mention  this  conversation  to  show  the  light 
in  which  m^v  master  had  viciwed  me,  and  this  will  ;!eeount  for 
the  interest  lie  took  in  my  restoration  to  iiuei  ty,  over  and  abiive 
his  motives  of  gain. 

"  We  traveled  on  in  a  south-east  direction  through  a  very 
sandy  countiy,  with,  however,  hei'e  and  there  a  small  rising, 
and  a  few  cultivated  spots,  for  about  live  ho;;i'S.  at  the  rate  of 
.five  miles  an  hour,  when  we  came  onj)osite  the  shattered  walls 
of  a  desolate  town  or  city  that  sioal  not  far  from  our  ])ath  on 
the  right.  These  walls  appeared  to  enck;se  a  square  spot  of 
about  three  hundred  yards  in  extent  on  each  side,  and  they 
seemed  to  be  at  least  fifteen  feet  in  height.  They  were  built 
of  rough  stones,  laid  in  clay  or  mud,  and  daubed  over  with 
the  same  material.  On  the  noi'lh  side  thei-e  was  a  gateway 
handsomely  arched  over  with  stone,  and  furnished  with  a 
strong,  heavy-looking  \vooden  gate  that  was  now  shut.  Over 
the  gate  there  appeared  to  be  a  platft>'*!r:  for  the  purpose 
of  defending  the  gate,  for  the  wall  was  not  quite  so  higli 
in  that  part  as  elsewhere.  Two  battering  machines  were 
standing  against  tiie  western  angle  of  the  w^all,  o{)posit(5 
to  which  a  large  practicai>]e  breach  had  been  made  by 
means  of  one  of  tiioso  machines.  They  were  both  very  sim- 
ple in  their  structure,  but  calculated  to  be  very  powerful  m 
their  effects.  •  . 


,N" 


.,  .t.: 


or    JilU    BRIO    COMMIRCB 


101 


The  ground  about  the  breach  and  near  the  ^ate  was  strow^ 
ed  over  with  dry  huinnn  hoiica  ;  and  my  curiosity  being  much 
excited  to  know  the  history  of  this  melancholy  scene  of  car- 
nage anii  desolation,  T  requested  Uais  to  communicate  to  me 
the  particulars  ;  but  not  being,  it  seems,  acquainted  with 
them  himself,  he  applied  to  Sidi  Mohammed  on  the  subject^ 
who  thereupon  gave  the  following  relation,  while  Rais  trans- 
'ated  into  Spanish  for  me  such  parts  as  1  did  not  perfectly 
understand  in  Arabic,  by  which  means  1  was  enabled  thor- 
oughly to  comprehend  the  whole  narrative 


m 


•ACKINO    OF    A    WALI.F.I)    TOWN    BT    THE    WANDERING    ARABf 


"That  city  (sasd  Mohaninied,)  was  built  by  Omar  Rasektdj 
about  forty  years  a^o  ;  he  iiamncl  ii  IVidnah.  He  was  a  very 
brave  ami  pious  man  :  and  the  tninibcr  of  his  family  and  friends^ 
consisting  at  fust  of  nonioH'lhan  five  hundred  souls,  when  the 
eity  was  built,  IncreasfHl  so  rapidly,  that  in  a  few  years  they 
amounted  to  several  thousands  :  they  planted  those  fig,  date, 
pomegranate,  olive,  and  other  trees  which  you  now  see  near  the 
walls  ;  they  ciiltivatod  the  fields  round  about,  and  made  gardens  ; 
had  abundance  of  bread,  beasts,  and  cattle  of  every  kind,  and  be- 
came exceedingly  rich  and  great,  for  God  was  with  them.  In  all 
their  transactions,  they  were  respected,  loved,  and  feared  by  all 
their  neighbours,  because  they  were  wise  and  iu't.  This  man  was 
called  Omar  el  Milliah^  (or  Omar  the  good;)  he  was  my  best 
friend  when  living,  (said  Sidi)  and  helped  me  when  I  was  very 
low  in  the  world,  out  the  best  men  have  enemie*— m>  it  was  witli 


^" 


mifftmimmmm 


08 


van  OP   THE   BRIO   COMMERC* 


H 


I  'I 


Ii  i. 


Offur;  he  had  an  inveterate  enemj  from  his  y^uth,  who  lived 
tmonff  the  mountains  to  the  southward  of  this  city,  whose  name  wm 
Sheiek  Sulmin.  This  Sheick,  about  twenty  years  ago,  came  down 
with  a  great  host  and  invested  the  city  of  Omar,  but  Omar  taking 
Advantage  of  the  darkness  of  the  night,  sallied  out  of  his  city  at  a 
private  passage,  wi^V  all  his  forces,  and  falling  upon  his  besiegers 
anawares,  killed  a  great  number,  and  put  the  remainder  to  a 
•hameful  flight — from  that  time  until  the  time  of  his  death,  (which 
■appened  two  years  ago)  he  enjoyed  a  profound  peace  on  every  side. 
4uer  Omar's  death,  his  eldest  son,  Mtdey  Ismaely  (for  he  caused 
aimself  to  be  called  a  prince^  took  upon  him  the  government  of  the 
city.  He  was  a  very  effeminate  man,  entirely  devoted  to  sensual 
pleasure,  and  had  a  great  number  of  wives  and  concubines.  The 
people  had  long  enjoyed  a  profound  peace,  and  confided  in  their 
strength  1  when  about  a  year  ago  one  of  the  brothers  of  Ismael, 
named  Kethrbah,  who  was  very  ambitious,  and  being  fired  with  re- 
sentment at  the  conduct  of  Muley  Ismael,  in  taking  away  from 
him  his  betrothed  wife,  left  the  city,  and  repaired  to  the  moun- 
tains, where  having  found  his  father's  old  enemy  still  living,  he 
stirred  him  up  to  war  against  the  city.  The  oUl  Sheick  soon  col- 
lected a  powerful  army  of  hungry  and  raparious  Arabs  on  the 
borders  of  the  desart,  and  came  down  the  mouiitains,  bringing  on 
their  camels  the  battering  machines  you  now  see  standing  there. 
When  this  host  approached  the  city,  it  was  in  the  dead  of  the  night, 
and  all  within  were  asleep  ;  they  dwelt  careles«ily  and  dreamed  of 
no  harm  ;  and  felt  so  secure,  that  they  did  not  even  keep  a  watch. 
The  Sheick  and  his  host  drew  near  the  walls  in  perfect  silence, 
and  raised  their  battering  machines  undiscovered:  it  was  now 
near  daylight,  when  both  machines  were  put  in  operation  at  the 
same  instant,  and  the  gate  was  also  attacked  by  means  of  large 
■tones  hung  from  the  upper  extremities  of  lonf  poles  by  ropes, 
which  poles  stood  up  on  end,  and  were  managed  by  the  hands  of 
the  Arabs.  The  first  strokes  against  the  walls  and  gate,  shook 
them  to  their  very  foundations,  and  a^*/akened  the  slothful  inhab- 
itants, who  flew  to  the  walls  in  order  to  make  a  defence  ;  but  it 
was  too  late  ;  the  enemy  were  thundering  against  them  ;  all  was 
confusion  within  ;  those  who  attacked  the  gate  were  repulsed  with 
great  slaughter  by  those  who  mounted  the  platform  over  it,  but 
the  walls  were  already  shattered  to  pieces,  and  the  assailants 
entered  the  breaches  over  heaps  of  their  dead  and  dying  enemies 
It  was  now  daylight,  and  an  indiscriminate  slaughter  of  the  in- 
habitants ensued  ;  all  was  blood  and  carnage  *,  every  male  was 
put  to  death,  except  two.  who  escaped  over  the  wall  to  carry  tid- 
ings of  the  fate  of  the  town  to  their  friends  and  neighbors.  All  the 
women  and  children  shared  the  same  fate,  except  two  hundred 
virgins,  who  were  spared  for  the  use  of  th**  'onquerors.  Thej 
next  plundered  the  slain  of  their  clothinor  am.  ,fram«>nto  ;  gather- 
ed up  their  spoil,  and  drove  ofi'the  ox  .jls,  &.c.  and 
departed,  leaviD|(  the  city  a  heap  of  rijL    ■•\  •'  T  ■*>'"'■    nth  the  mav 


LOM   OF   THE    BRIG    COMMERCB 


109 


|;leQ  ctrcatses  of  its  once  highly  favored  inha^itunta  they  wer« 
in  such  haste  as  to  leave  the  battering  machines  standing,  an<) 
made  off  by  way  of  the  plain  southward.  The  inhabitants  if  the 
neighboring  towns  soon  collected,  and  pursuing  them  with  great 
vigor,  came  up  with  them  on  the  side  of  the  mountain  the  next 
morning,  while  the  invaders  sending  forward  their  spoils,  took  a 
station  in  a  sleep  narrow  pass,  and  prepared  for  battle.  It  was  a 
very  long  and  bloody  fight,  but  Sulmin's  men  rolled  down  great 
stones  from  the  precipices  upon  their  pursuers,  who  were  at  last 
forced  to  retreat,  leaving  about  half  their  number  dead  and  wound* 
ed  on  the  ground. 

Sidi  hhemy  a  very  powerful  prince,  had  in  the  mean  time  heard 
the  news,  and  assemoled  a  very  large  army,  and  pursued  the 
enemy  by  another  way  ;  but  they  had  fled  to  the  desart,  and  could 
not  be  overtaken.  The  dead  bodies  in  and  about  the  city  had  be- 
come so  putrid  before  the  pursuit  was  over,  that  none  could  ap- 
proach to  bury  them,  and  they  were  devoured  by  dogs,  and  wild 
ueasts,  and  birds  of  prey.  They  had  offended  the  Almighty  by 
their  pride,  and  none  could  be  found  to  save  them  Thus  perish- 
ed Widnah  and  its  haughty  inhabitants." 

They  continued  their  journey  without  any  material  interrup- 
tion, until  they  arrived  in  the  vicinity  of  JVlogadore  or  Swear- 
ah.  "  Here,  our  deliverer,"  says  Capt.  Riley,  "  who  had  re- 
ceived news  of  our  coming,  dismounted  from  his  horse,  and  was 
prepared  to  behold  some  of  the  most  miserable  objects  his  im- 
agination could  paint — he  led  his  horse  along  the  south  angle 
and  near  the  wall  :  Kais  was  by  his  side  when  opening  pa.st 
the  corner,  I  heard  Rais  exclaim,  in  Spanish,  *' Alia  estan" 
— "  there  they  are  :" — at  this  sound  we  looked  up  and  beheld 
our  deliverer,  who  had  at  that  instant  turned  his  eyes  upon  us. 
He  started  back  one  step  with  surprise.  His  blood  seemed 
to  fly  from  his  visage  for  a  moment,  but  recovering  himself  a 
little,  he  rushed  forward,  and  clasping  me  to  his  breast,  he 
ejaculated,  '  Welcome  to  my  arms,  my  dear  Sir;  this  is  truly 
a  happy  moment.'  He  next  took  each  of  my  companions  by 
!lie  hand,  and  welcomed  them  to  their  liberty,  while  tears 
trickled  down  his  manly  cheeks  and  the  sudden  rush  of  all  the 
generous  and  sympathetic  feelings  of  his  heart  nearly  choked 
his  utterance  :  then  raising  his  eyes  towards  heaven,  he  said, 
'  I  thank  thee,  great  Author  of  my  bemg  for  thy  mercy  to 
these  my  brothers.' — He  could  add  no  more  ;  his  whole 
frame  was  so  agitated,  that  his  strength  failed  him,  and  he 
sunk  to  the  ground.  We,  on  our  part,  could  only  look  up 
towards  heaven  in  silent  adoration,  while  our  hearta  swelled 
with  indescribable  sensations  of  gratitude  and  love  to  the  all 


mtmm 


mmmw 


#•■' 


n 


no 


OF   THE    BRIG    COMMBRCB 


wise,  all  powerful,  and  over  merctful  God  of  the  uaiverse,  who 
nad  conducted  us  through  so  inaii)  dreadful  scenes  of  danger 
and  suffering  ;  had  controled  the  passions  and  disposed  the 
hearts  of  the  barbarous  Arabs  in  our  favour,  and  had  finally 
brought  us  to  the  arms  of  such  a  friend.  Tears  of  joy  stream 
ed  from  our  eyes,  and  Rais  bel  Cossini  was  so  much  affected 
at  this  interview,  that  in  order  to  conceal  his  weeping,  he  hid 
himself  behind  the  wall  ;  for  the  Moors,  as  w(dl  as  the  Arabs, 
hold  the  shedding  of  tears  to  be  a  womanish  and  degrading 
weakness.  Afler  a  short  pause,  when  Mr.  Willshire  had  in 
some  measure  recovered,  he  said,  '  Come,  my  friends,  let  us 
go  to  the  city  ;  my  house  is  already  prepared  for  your  recep- 
tion.'— The  mules  were  led  up,  and  we  wore  again  placed  on 
them  and  rode  off  slowly  towards  Mogadore." 

Mr.  Willshire  conducted  them  to  his  house,  on  their  arrival 
at  Mogadore,  had  them  all  washed,  clothed,  and  fed,  and 
spared  no  pains  nor  expense  in  procuring  every  comfort,  and 
in  administering  with  his  own  hand,  night  and  day,  such  re- 
freshment as  their  late  sufferings  and  debility  required.  Of 
the  miserable  condition  to  which  these  unfortunate  men  had 
been  reduced,  one  act  will  witness.  "  At  the  instance  of  Mr. 
Willshire,"  says  Capt.  Riley,  "  I  was  weighed,  and  fell  short 
of  nmety  pounds  though  my  usual  weight  for  the  last  ten  years 
had  been  over  two  hundred  pounds  ;  the  weight  of  my  com- 
panions was  less  than  I  dare  to  mention,  for  I  apprehend  it 
would  not  be  believed  that  the  bodies  of  men,  retaining  the 
vital  spark,  should  not  have  weighed  forty  pounds  !" 


-•"•-••t  •»-.*  . 


A 


-r : 


THX    SrANISH    WRBCK. 


Ul 


i---  ^.vi;- 


THE  SPANISH  WRECK. 


About  the  year  1683,  Sir  William  Phipps,  afterwards  cele- 
Drated  for  his  attempts  to  take  Quebec,  in  1690,  applied  to  the 
Ylnglish  Government  for  aid  and  permission  to  Ht  out  a  suit- 
able vessel  for  the  purpose  of  searching  for  the  wreck  of  u 
Spanish  ship  which  had  been  lost  near  one  of  the  West  India 
Islands,  richly  laden  with  silver.  His  request,  after  some 
delay,  was  granted,  and  a  frigate  called  Algier  Rose,  carrying 
eighteen  guns  and  manned  with  nmety-five  men,  was  placed 
under  his  command.  He  arrived  in  Now  England  the  same 
year  and  proceeded  forthwith  to  the  place  where  the  treasure 
was  reported  to  have  been  lost.  He  encountered  many  .diffi- 
culties in  his  voyage  and  came  nigh,  more  than  once,  losing 
his  life  by  the  mutiny  of  his  crew.  It  is  reported  of  him  that 
while  his  ship  lay  by  an  island,  for  the  purpose  of  enabling  hia 
men  to  take  on  board  a  fresh  supply  of  wood  and  water,  they 
agreed  among  themselves  to  take  the  ship  into  their  own  hands, 
and  make  a  piratical  expedition  into  the  South  Seas.  They 
were  all  on  the  island  with  the  exception  of  Captain  Phipps 
and  eight  or  ten  of  the  crew.  Among  these  was  the  car- 
penter, whose  services  they  could  not  well  dispense  with,  and 
they  accordingly  sent  to  the  ship,  requesting  him  to  come  to 
them,  as  they  had  something  for  him  to  do.  No  sooner  had 
he  come  among  them,  than  they  disclosed  to  him  the  cruel 
project,  which  was  to  set  the  Captain,  and  the  above  named 
eight  or  ten  men  upon  the  island,  and  then  leave  them  to  per- 
ish, while  they  would  take  the  ship  into  their  own  hands  and 
perform  the  proposed  voyage.  They  gave  the  carpenter  half 
an  hour  to  consider  of  the  subject,  whether  he  would  join  wrtti 
them  or  not,  and  sent  him  back  accompanied  by  a  seaman  to 
prevent  any  int<  rview  between  him  and  the  Captain,  by  which 
a  disclosure  could  be  made.  While  at  work  on  the  ship,  he 
suddenly  feigned  an  attack  of  the  cholic,  and  rushed  into  the 
cabin  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  relief,  and  while  there,  gav<; 
the  Captain  an  account  of  the  determination  of  his  crew.  He 
dipected  the  carpenter  to  return  upon  the  island,  and  give  hiir 
^^nsent  to  join  the  conspiracy. 

When  the  carpenter  had  left  the  ship,  the  Captain  orderco 
the  mtD  on  beard^  to  prepare  the  piecet  for  action^  rvneTed 


li 


THE    SPANISH    WRECK 


the  plank  by  which  a  landing  hac'.  been  effected,  and  ordered 
them  not  to  permit  any  one  of  those,  save  the  carpenter,  to 
approach  the  ship.  A  quantity  of  provisions  had  been  carried 
on  shore  and  covered  with  a  tent,  and  two  or  three  guns 
placed  near  to  protect  them  from  the  Spaniards  who  might  be 
passing  that  way:  these  guns  were  all  charged,  ready  to  be 
made  use  of  in  the  event  of  an  attack  from  the  conspirators 
The  disafiected  part  of  the  crew  now  returned  to  the  ship  for 
the  purpose  of  executing  their  plans.  INo  sooner  had  they 
come  in  sight,  than  the  captain  ordered  them  not  to  approach, 
saying  to  them  that  their  intentions  had  been  discovered,  and 
that  they  were  to  be  left  upon  the  island,  there  to  remain  and* 
perish.  Seeing  how  hopeless  their  condition  was  become, 
they  gathered  courage  from  despair,  and  resolved  to  rescue 
the  provisions  from  tho  ship,  and  began  to  make  a  bold  push 
As  soon  as  they  began  to  approach,  the  captain  in  a  resolute 
manner,  cried  out,  *'  stand  off,  ye  wretches,  at  your  peril'  " — 
They  quietly  relinquished  their  determination  to  attack,  and 
fell  upon  their  knees,  imploring  pardon,  and  offered  to  comply 
with  any  disposal  he  might  make  of  them,  provided  he  would 
receive  them  on  board.  After  having  kept  them  on  their 
knees  long  enough,  he  granted  their  petition  anJ  received 
them  into  th*5  ship,  and  sailed  immediately  for  the  island  of 
Jamaica,  there  put  them  on  shore,  and  employed  other  seamen 
in  their  place. 

He  now  commenced  an  examination  for  the  wreck,  and  after 
spending  a  long  time  in  an  almost  fruitless  search,  sailed  for 
England.  By  the  advice,  however,  of  an  old  Spaniard,  he 
had  satisfied  himself  of  the  prospect  of  succeeding  in  accom- 
plishing his  object,  and  determined  to  return  again  and  pro- 
secute his  plan.  His  crew  being  composed  of  strangers,  made 
him  think  it  advisable  to  change  them  for  others  in  whom  he 
could  have  greater  confidence  in  the  event  his  labors  should 
be  crowned  with  success.  "  ^  r:.   . 

On  his  return  to  England,  his  conduct  gained  the  royal  ap- 
probation, and  the  applause  of  the  nobles,  and  many  distin- 
guished men  encouraged  him  to  engage  in  a  second  expedition 
And  under  more  favorable  and  promising  circumstances. 

His  prospect   was  opposed,   however,  by  many  powerfu' 
enemies;  but,  prompted  by  the  proverb,  "he  who  can  wait 
hath  what  he  desireth,"  he  overcame  every  obstacle  and  dis 
appointment,  and,  under  the  patronage  of  the  Duke  of  Albe- 
marle, had  £  new  ship  fitted  out  with  a  more  honest  crew,  fur 
Qished  with  initruments  and  conveniences  luited  to  the  mtturf 


THE   SVAIflSU    WRECK. 


11^ 


of  the  expedition.  Arriving  at  Port  de  la  Plata,  he  made  a 
larffe  canoe  from  the  cotton  tree  sufficient  to  carry  eight  men, 
and  with  the  old  Spaniard  for  a  guide,  again  commenced  ex- 
amination for  the  wreck.  There  they  floated  about,  fishing 
for  their  treasure  among  dangerous  reefs  and  shoals  for  many 
weeks  without  success.  So  fruitless  was  the  search  that  more 
than  once  had  he,  as  well  as  his  men,  determined  to  abandon 
.he  work.  At  length,  when  returning  to  the  ship,  discour- 
aged  by  repeated  disappointment,  and  the  hopelessness  of  a 
successful  issue  of  the  project,  one  of  the  men  looking  into  the 
water  discovered  a  feather,  as  he  thought,  growing  out  of  a 
rock.  Thinking  that  they  would  not  go  back  to  the  Captain 
without  something  to  present  him,  they  ordered  an  Indian  to 
dive  down  and  bring  it  up,  which  having  done,  he  gave  an  ac- 
count of  many  large  guns  which  he  saw  in  his  descent.  The 
diver  again  went  down,  and,  to  the  joy  and  astonishment  of 
the  men,  returned  with  a  sow  or  lump  of  silver,  which  turned 
out  to  be  worth  from  ten  to  twelve  hundred  dollars.  They 
buoyed  the  place  and  returned  to  the  Captain  overjoyed  with 
with  their  good  fortune,  as  it  was  well  known  that  the  wreck 
was  one  of  the  ships  belonging  to  the  king  in  Spain,  which  had 
been  lost  on  a  returning  voyage  from  South  America  richly 
laden  with  silver  bullion.*  The  loss  of  the  ship  is  supposed  to 
have  happened  about  the  year  1637,  and  the  immense  trea- 
sures which  was  reported  to  have  been  sunk  with  her  were 
oflen  made  the  subject  of  ingenious  speculation,  and  many  had 
sunk  their  own  fortunes  in  efforts  to  find  it  It  M'as  reserv- 
ed, however,  in  the  silent  depths,  that  Capt.  Phipps  might  be 
the  fortunate  finder  of  it  at  so  late  a  period  after  its  loss.'  He 
now  found  in  the  bullion  brought  to  him  full  assurance  that 
destmy  had  allotted  to  him  to  "  suck  of  the  abundance  of  the 
seas  and  of  treasures  hid  in  the  sand.*' 

Having  prepared  his  instruments  for  fishing  up  the  contents 
of  the  wreck,  all  hands  were  now  busily  employed  in  the  work, 
and  in  a  short  time  they  succeeded  in  procuring  the  astonish- 
ing amount  of  thirty-two  tons  of  silver.  In  addition  to 
this  Captain  Adderly,  an  adventurer  from  Providence,  and  a 
particular  friend  of  Captain  Phipps,  obtained  six  tons  more  from 
the  same  wreck  at  the  same  time.  It  was  by  an  agreement 
that  Adderly  met  Phipps  at  the  place  of  the  wreck  with  a  small 
vessel.  He  was  so  overjoyed  with  the  extent  of  hia  riches 
mod  so  elated  at  such  unlooked  for  acquisitions,  that  he  lived 
but  a  little  whi  ■•  i  ,  :^m.  It  is  said  that  he  went  to  the 
tiUiid  of  Bwrtt         ?    '-^-^ '  >  became  inMoe,  wa4  ^mi  ttww 


U4 


TBB   SPANllU    WRECK. 


^'* 


two  /eats  after  the  six  tons  of  silver  came  into  his  hands 
PhippS)  however,  made  a  more  profitable  account  ofthc  expedi 
tion,  and  lived  to  enjoy  the  proceeds  of  it  without  prejudice  to 
his  heahh  or  destruction  of  his  mind.  In  a  few  weeks  aftei 
leaving  the  wreck,  le  arrived  safe  in  London,  in  1687,  with 
a  cargo  valued  at  near  Hdeen  hundred  thousand  dollars.  He 
made  an  honest  distribution  of  it  among  those  who  aided  him 
in  fitting  him  out  with  a  vessel  and  proper  conveniences,  and 
received  about  seventy  five  thousand  dollars  for  his  share  of 
the  profits.  The  Duke  of  Albemarle,  out  of  respect  to  his 
honesty  and  fidelity,  presented  his  wife,  who  was  then  in  New 
England,  a  gold  cup  worth  *'  near  a  thousand  pounds."  And 
King  James  as  a  reward  for  his  important  services  in  bring- 
ing such  amount  of  property  into  the  country  conferred  on 
bim  the  honor  of  knighthood. 

Sir  William  Phipps  was  born  February  2,  1650,  at  a  despic- 
able plantation  on  the  river  Kennebeck.  He  removed  to 
Boston  where  he  married  a  daughter  of  Roger  Spencer,  and 
pursued  the  business  of  a  sipith,  which  was  the  occupation  of 
his  father.  It  is  said  that  he  frequently  pre  nised  his  wife  that 
he  would  one  day  command  a  King's  ship  and  be  tlie  owner 
of  a  fair  brick  house  in  the  Green  lane  of  North  Boston,  all 
which  proved  true,  for  after  the  discovery  of  the  wreck,  he  re- 
turned into  New  England,  in  the  summer  of  the  year  1688, 
"  able  after  five  year's  absence,  to  entertain  his  lady  with 
some  accomphshment  of  his  predictions:  and  then  built  him- 
self a  fair  house  in  the  very  place  which  he  foretold." 

Sir  William  Phipps  was  industrious,  courageous,  and  per- 
severing; his  principal  fault  was,  occasionally  indulging  his 
temper.  This  failing  he  did  not  overcome  until  late  in  life. 
It  is  this  day  said  by  the  very  aged  people  living  at  the  north 
part  of  Boston,  where  he  resided,  that  when  he  was  governor 
of  Massachusetts,  he  had  a  quarrel  with  a  truckman,  at  which 
time  he  was  in  so  great  passion,  that  he  threw  oflT  his  coat  and 
dared  the  man  to  fight.  After  this,  however,  he  became  very 
serious  and  devout,  when  he  joined  the  Church,  made  a 
written  acknowledgement  of  his  past  errors,  and  in  terms  of 
deep  humil'*y,  gave  evidence  of  a  pious  mind. 

Phipps  was  made    '^  Captain   General  and  commander-iii' 
Chief  of  Massachusetts  Bay,"  In  1690. 

The  Brick  House  which  he  built  stands  in  Salem  street* 
lU&d  18  improved  as  an  asylum  for  orphan  boys. 


■■■  I 


THft  FATAL   RBPAlT 


THE  FATAL  REPAST 

r    ■'       ".   V'   ■  ■  ,J  ■ 

W«  had  been  nearly  five  weeks  at  sea,  when  the  captain 
found,  by  a  nautical  observation,  that  w<  were  within  one 
hundred  and  thirty  miles  of  the  north  side  of  Jan  aica.  Fa- 
vorable winds  and  smooth  seas  had  hitherto  been  our  constant 
attendants,  and  every  thing  on  board  conspired  to  render  the 
confinement  and  monotony  of  a  long  voyage  less  annoying 
than  they  usually  are.     The  cabin  passengers  consisted  of 

Major  and  Mrs.  L ,  a  new-married  couple;  Miss  P 

sister  to  the  latter;  Mr.  O ,  a  young  Irishman,  and  myself 

Our  captain  was  a  man  of  pleasing  manners  and  liberal  ideas 
and  formed  an  important  acquisition  to  our  party,  by  joining  in 
all  its  recreations,  and  affording  every  facility  to  the  indul- 
gence of  them.  Much  of  our  time  was  spent  in  conversation, 
and  in  walking  on  deck;  and  as  the  dews  of  evening  obliged  us 
to  deicend  to  the  cabin,  the  captain  would  oflen  entertain  us 
with  a  relation  of  the  various  dangers  which  he  and  other  per- 
sons had  encountered  at  sea,  or  detail,  with  great  gravity, 
some  of  the  prevailing  superstitions  of  sailors. 

Athough  he  possessed  more  general  information  than  usually 
falls  to  the  lot  of  seafaring  persons,  his  mind  was  tinctured 
with  some  of  their  weaknesses  and  prejudices.  The  ladies  of 
our  party  had  a  great  taste  for  natural  history,  and  wished  to 
obtain  specimens  of  all  the  most  interesting  kinds  of  sea-birds. 
They  had  several  times  requested  the  captain  to  shoot  one  of 
Mother  Carey's  chickens,  that  they  might  take  a  drawing  from 
it;  however,  he  always  declined  doing  so,  but  never  gave  an} 
satisfactory  reason  for  his  unwillingness  to  oblige  them  in  this 

respect.     At  last,  Mr.  D killed  two  of  the  birds,  after 

having  several  times  missed  whole  flocks  of  them.  The  cap- 
tain seemed  very  much  started  when  he  saw  the  animals  drop 
on  the  waves; — "  Will  you  have  the  goodness  to  let  down  the 

boat  to  pick  up  the  game  ?"  said  Mr.  D -.     **  Yes,  sir," 

replied  he,  '•  if  you  '11  go  off  in  her,  and  never  return  on  board 
this  vessel — Here  is  a  serious  business — Be  assured  we  have 
not  seen  the  end  of  it."  He  then  walked  away  without  ofTer- 
ing  to  give  any  orders  about  lowermg  the  boat;  and  the  sea- 
men, who  witnessed  the  transaction,  looked  as  if  they  wouU 
not  bare  obeyed  biiu  had  he  even  done  so. 


11« 


THE   fATAL    REPAST. 


Though  we  saw  no  land,  every  thing  proved  that  we  were 
in  the  West  India  seas.  The  sky  had,  within  a  few  days, 
oegan  to  assume  a  more  da7zling  aspect,  and  long  ranges  of 
conicul  shaped  clouds  floatet.  along  the  horizon.  Land  birds, 
with  beautiful  plumage,  often  hovered  round  the  vessel,  and 
we  sometimes  fancied  we  could  discover  a  vegetable  fragrance 
in  the  breezes  that  swelled  our  sails. 

One  delightful  clear  morning,  when  we  were  in  hourly  ex- 
pectation of  making  the  land,  some  dolphin  appeared  astern. 
As  the  weather  was  very  moderate,  the  captain  proposed  that 
they  should  fish  for  them;  and  a  great  many  hooks  were  im- 
mediately baited  for  that  purpose  by  the  seamen.  We  caught 
large  quantities  of  dolphin,  and  of  another  kind  of  fish,  and 
put  the  whole  into  the  hands  of  the  steward,  with  orders  that 
part  should  be  dressed  for  dinner,  and  part  distributed  among 
the  crew. 

When  the  dinner-hour  arrived,  we  all  assembled  in  the  cabin, 
in  high  spirits,  and  sat  down  to  table.  It  being  St.  George's 
day,  the  captain  who  was  an  Englishman,  had  ordered  that 
every  thing  should  be  provided  and  set  forth  in  the  most  sum- 
ptuous style,  and  the  steward  had  done  full  justice  to  his  di- 
rections. We  made  the  wines,  which  were  exquisite  and 
abundant,  circulate  rapidly,  and  every  glass  increased  our 
gaiety  and  good  humor,  while  the  influence  of  our  mirth 
rendered  the  iadies  additionally  amusing  and  animated.  The 
captain  rem-  rked,  that  as  there  were  two  clarionet  players 
among  the  crew,  we  ought  to  have  a  dance  upon  the  quarter- 
deck at  sunset.  This  proposal  was  received  with  much  de- 
light, particularly  by  the  females  of  our  party;  and  the  captain 
had  just  told  the  servant  in  waiting  to  bid  the  musicians  pre- 
pare themselves,  when  the  mate  entered  the  cabin,  and  said, 
that  the  man  at  the  helm  had  dropped  jdown  almost  senseless, 
and  that  another  of  the  crew  was  so  ill  that  he  could  scarcely 
speak. 

The  captain,  on  receiving  this  information,  grew  very  pale, 
and  seemed  at  a  loss  what  to  reply.  At  last,  he  started  from 
his  chair,  and  hurried  up  the  gangway.  Our  mirth  ceased  in 
R  moment,  though  none  of  us  appeared  to  know  why;  but  the 
minds  of  all  were  evidently  occupied  by  what  they  had  just 

heard,  and  Major  L remarked,  with  faultering  voice,  that 

seamen  were  very  liable  to  be  taken  suddenly  ill  in  hot  climates. 

After  a  little  time,  we  sent  the  servant  to  inquire  what  was 

IFoing  forward  on  deck.     He  returned  immediately,  and  in* 
omied  ui  that  the  two  sailors  were  worse,  and  that  a  tbinl 


TBI   FATAL    RBPAtT. 


Ill 


vert 
ayi, 

.  of 
rds, 
and 


nad  juet%een  attacked  in  the  same  way.     He  had  scarcely  said 

these  words,  when  Mrs.  L gave  a  shriek,  and  cried  cut 

that  her  sister  had  fainted  away.  This  added  to  our  confu- 
sion and  alarm;  and  the  Major  and  Mr.  D •  trembled  so, 

that  they  were  hardly  able  to  convey  the  young  lady  to  her 
state-room 

All  conversation  was  now  at  an  end,  and  no  one  uttered  a 

word  till  Mis.  L returned  from  her  sister's  apartment 

While  we  were  inquiring  how  the  latter  was,  the  captain 
entered  the  cabin  in  a  state  of  great  agitation.  "  This  is  a 
dreadful  business,"  said  he.  "  The  fact  is — it  is  my  duty  to 
tell  you — I  fear  we  are  all  poisoned  by  the  fish  we  have  eaten 
— One  of  the  crew  died  a  few  minutes  since,  and  five  others 
are  dangerously  ill." 

"Poisoned!  my  God!    Do  you  say  so?     Must  we  all  die?" 

exclaimed  Mrs.  L ,  dropping  on  her  knees.     "  What  is  to 

be  done?  "  cried  the  Major  distractedly  ;  "  are  there  no  means 
>f  counteracting  it? '' — '*  None  that  I  know  of,"  returned  the 
captain  "  All  remedies  are  vain.  The  poison  is  always  fata', 
except — but  I  begin  to  foel  it.s  effects — support  me — can  this 
be  imagination?  "     He  staggered  to  one  side,  and  would  have 

fallen  upon  the  floor,  had  not  1  assisted  him.     Mrs.   L , 

notwithstanding  his  apparent  insensibility,  clang  to  his  arm, 
crying  out,  in  a  tone  of  despair,  '*  Is  there  no  help — no  pity 
— no  one  to  save  us?"  and  then  fainted  away  on  her  hus- 
band's bosom,  who,  turning  to  me,  said,  with  quivering  lips, 
"  You  are  a  happy  man;  you  have  nothing  to  imbitter  your 
last  moments — Oh,  Providence!  was  I  permitted  to  escape  so 
many  dangers,  merely  tliat  I  might  suffer  this  misery?'' ' 

Mrs.   L soon  regained  her  senses,  and  I  endeavored  to 

calm  her  agitation  by  remarking,  that  we  might  possibly  es- 
cape the  fatal  influence  of  the  poison,  as  some  constitutions 
were  not  so  easily  affected  by  it  as  others.  "  Is  there  then  a 
little  hope?"  she  exclaimed.  "  Oh!  God  grant  it  may  be  sol 
How  dreadful  to  die  in  the  midst  of  the  ocean,  far  from  friends 
and  home,  and  then  to  be  thrown  in  the  deep!" — "  There  is 
one  thing,"  said  the  captain,  faintly,  "  I  was  going  to  tell  you, 
that — but  this  sensation — I  mean  a  remedy." — *' Speak  on," 
cried  the  major,  in  breathless  suspense.  "  It  may  have  a 
chance  of  saving  you,"  continued  the  former;  "you  must  im- 
mediately"— He  gave  a  deep  sigh,  and  dropped  his  head  upon 
his  shoulder,  apparently  unable  to  utter  a  word  more.  "  Oh, 
this  is  the  worst  of  all!"  cried  Mrs.  L — —  in  agony;  "he 
WM  on  the  point  of  telling  us  how  to  counteract  the  effect*  of 


I 


Ill 


THt    VATAL     RIPASt 


the  poifon — Was  it  heavenly  mercy  that  deprived  him  of  the 
power  of  speech?  Can  it  be  called  mercy?  " — "  Hush,  htsh! 
you  rave,"  returned  her  husband.  "  We  have  only  to  be  re- 
signed NOW — Let  UB  at  least  die  together." 

The  crew  had  dined  about  an  hour  and  a  half  before  us,  and 
consequently  felt  the  effects  of  the  poison  much  c»"''er  than 
we  did.     Every  one,  however,  now  began  to  exhibit  alarming 

symptoms.     Mr.  D became  delirious;   the  major  .ay  upon 

the  cabin  floor  in  a  stato  of  torpidity;  and  the  captain  had 
drowned  all  sense  and  recollection  by  drinking  a  large  quan- 
tity of  brandy.     Mrs.    L watchfd  her  husband  and  her 

sister  alternately,  in  a  state  of  quiet  despair. 

I  was  comparatively  but  litfle  atfected,  and  therefore  em- 
ployed myself  in  assi.sting  others  until  they  seemed  to  be  past 
all  relief,  and  then  sat  down,  anticipating  the  horrid  conse- 
quences which  would  result  from  the  death  of  the  whole  ship's 
company. 

While  thus  occupied,  I  heard  the  steersman  call  out, — 
"  Taken  ail  aback  here.''  A  voice,  which  I  knew  to  be  the 
mate's  immediately  answered,  "Well,  and  what  's  that  to  us? 
Put  her  before  the  wind,  and  let  her  go  where  she  pleases." 
I  soon  perceived,  by  the  rushing  of  the  water,  that  there  was 
a  great  increase  in  (he  velocity  of  the  ship's  progress,  and 
went  upon  deck  to  ascertain  the  cause. 

I  found  the  mate  stretched  upon  the  top  of  the  companion, 
and  addressed  him,  but  he  made  no  reply.  The  man  at  the 
helm  was  tying  a  rope  round  the  tiller,  and  told  me  he  had 
become  so  blind  and  dizzy,  that  he  could  neither  steer  nor  see 
the  compass,  and  would  therefore  fix  the  rudder  in  such  a 
manner,  as  would  keep  the  ship's  head  as  near  the  wind  as 
possible.  On  going  forward  to  the  bows,  I  found  the  crew 
lying  motionless  in  every  direction.  They  were  either  in- 
sensible of  the  dangerous  situation  in  which  our  vessel  was 
or  totally  indifforent  to  it;  and  all  my  representations  on  this 
head  failed  to  draw  forth  an  intelligible  remark  from  any  of 
them.  Our  ship  carried  a  great  press  of  canvass,  the  lower 
studding  sails  being  set,  for  we  had  enjoyed  a  gentle  breeze 
directly  astern,  before  the  wind  headed  us  in  the  way  already 
mentioned. 

About  an  hour  after  sunset,  almost  every  person  on  board 
seemed  to  have  become  worse.  I  alone  retained  my  senses 
unimpaired.  Tne  wind  now  blew  very  fresh,  and  we  went 
through  the  water  at  the  rate  of  ten  knots  an  hour.  The  night 
Rooked  drevy  and  turbulent      The  sky  wm  cot ered  witk 


TUX     FATAL    RXPAII 


119 


large  fleeces  of  broJitMi  cioudrt,  and  the  stars  flashed  angrily 
through  them,  as  they  were  wildly  hurried  along  by  the  blast 
The  sea  began  to  run  high,  and  the  masts  showed,  by  their  in- 
cessant creaking,  that  they  carried  more  sail  than  they  could 
well  sustain. 

I  stood  alone  abafl  the  binnacle.  Nothing  could  be  heard 
above  or  below  deck,  but  the  dashing  of  the  surges,  and  the 
moaning  of  the  winci.  All  the  people  on  board  were  to  me 
the  same  as  dead;  and  1  was  tossed  about,  in  the  vast  expanse 
of  waters,  without  a  companion  or  fellow-sutrerer.  I  knew 
not  what  might  be  my  fate,  or  where  1  should  be  carried. 
The  vessel,  as  it  careered  along  the  raging  deep,  uncontrol- 
led by  human  hands,  seemed  under  the  guidance  of  a  relent- 
less demon,  to  whose  caprices  its  ill-fated  crew  had  been 
mysteriously  consigned  by  some  superior  power. 

1  was  filled  with  dread  lest  we  should  strike  upon  rocks,  or 
run  ashore,  and  oflen  imagined  that  the  clouds  which  border- 
ed the  horizon  were  the  black  clifls  of  some  desolate  coast. 
At  last,  I  distinctly  saw  a  light  at  some  distance — I  antici- 
pated instant  destruction — I  grew  irresolute  whether  to  remain 
jpon  deck,  and  face  death,  or  to  wait  for  it  below.  I  soon 
discovered  a  ship  a  little  way  ahead — I  instinctively  ran  to  the 
helm,  and  loosed  the  rope  that  tied  the  tiller,  which  at  once 
bounded  back,  and  knocked  me  over.  A  horrible  crashmg, 
and  loud  cries,  now  broke  upon  my  ear,  and  I  saw  that  we  got 
entangled  with  another  vessel.  But  the  velocity  with  which 
we  swept  along,  rendered  our  extrication  instantaneous;  and, 
bn  looking  back,  I  saw  a  ship,  without  a  bowsprit,  pitching  ir- 
regularly among  the  waves,  and  heard  the  rattling  of  cordage, 
and  a  tumult  of  voices.  But,  after  a  little  time,  nothing  was 
distinguishable  by  the  eye  or  by  the  ear.  My  situation  ap- 
peared doubly  horrible,  when  I  reflected  that  I  had  just  been 
within  call  of  human  creatures,  who  might  have  saved  and  as- 
sisted all  on  be  ard,  had  not  an  evil  destiny  hurried  us  along, 
tnd  made  us  t'  e  means  of  injuring  those  who  alone  were  ca- 
pable of  affordir^.g  us  relief 

About  midnight,  our  fore  top-mast  gave  way,  and  fe.l  upon 
deck  with  a  tremendous  noise.  The  ship  immediately  swung 
round,  and  began  to  labor  in  a  terrible  manner,  while  several 
waves  broke  over  her  successively. 

I  had  just.resolved  to  descend  the  gangway  for  shelter,  when 
a  white  figure  rushed  past  me  with  a  wild  shriek*  and  sprung 
OTfTboard.  I  saw  it  struggling  among  the  billows,  and  tOM- 
iBg  about  iti  arms  distracnedlv,  but  had  no  meant  of  adording 


1 
1 


IfO 


TSl    FATAL   RSrAIT. 


it  any  amiftaiice.  I  watched  it  for  Huine  time,  and  observed 
'to  convulsive  motions  gruduully  ^low  more  feeble;  but  its 
form  soon  became  un:  .stingui.shablu  uniidst  the  foum  of  tlie 
bursting  waves.  The  darkness  prevented  me  from  discover- 
ing who  had  thus  committed  himself  to  Uie  deep,  in  a  moment 
ofmadness,  and  I  felt  a  strong  repugnance  at  attempting  to 
ascertain  it,  and  rather  wished  it  might  have  been  some 
spectre,  or  the  otTspring  of  my  perturbed  imagination,  than  a 
human  being. 

As  the  sea  continued  to  break  over  the  vessel,  I  went  down 
to  the  cabin,  after  having  closely  shut  the  gangway  doors  and 
companion.  Total  darkness  prevailed  below.  I  addressed 
the  captain  and  all  my  fellow  passengers  by  name,  but  receiv- 
ed no  reply  from  any  of  them,  though  I  sometimes  fancied  I 
heard  moans  and  quick  hreathing,  when  the  tumult  of  waters 
without  happened  to  subside  a  little.  But  I  thought  that  it 
was  perhaps  imagination,  and  that  they  were  probably  all 
dead.  I  began  to  catch  for  breath,  and  felt  as  if  I  had  been 
immured  in  a  large  coffin  along  with  a  number  of  corpses,  and 
was  doomed  to  linger  out  life  beside  them.  The  sea  beat 
against  the  vessel  with  a  noise  like  that  of  artillery,  and  the 
crashing  of  the  bulwarks,  driven  in  by  its  violence,  gave  start- 
ling proof  of  the  dangers  that  threatened  us.  Having  several 
times  been  dashed  again.st  the  walls  and  transoms  of  the  cabin 
by  the  violent  pitching  of  the  ship,  I  groped  for  my  bed,  and 
lay  down  in  it,  and,  notwithstanding  the  horrors  that  surround- 
ed me,  gradually  dropped  asleep. 

When  I  awaked,  I  perceived,  by  the  sunbeams  that  shone 
through  the  skylight,  that  the  morning  was  far  advanced. 
The  ship  rolled  violently  at  intervals,  but  the  noise  of  wind 
and  waves  had  altogether  ceased.  I  got  up  hastily,  and  al- 
most dreaded  to  look  round,  lest  I  should  find  my  worst  antici- 
pations concerning  my  companions  too  fatally  realized. 

I  immediately  discovered  the  captain  lying  on  one  side  of 

the    cabin    quite    dead.      Opposite    him    was    Major    L , 

stretched  along  the  floor,  and  grasping  firmly  the  handle  of  the 
door  of  his  wife's  apartment.     He  looked  like  a  dying  man, 

and  Mrs    L ,  who  sat  beside  him,  seemed  to  be  exhausted 

with  grief  and  terror.  She  tried  to  speak  several  times,  and  at 
last  succeeded  in  informing  me  that  her  sister  was  better.  I 
could  not  discover  Mr.  D any  where,  and  therefore  con- 
cluded that  he  was  the  person  who  had  leaped  overboard  the 
preceding  night. 

On  going  upon  deck,  I  found  that  every  thing  wore  a  new 
•■pect.    Tne  ik^  wna  dazzling  and  cloudless,  and  not  tl|« 


::rr 


-*      I' 


IB    WATAL   UtFAftT. 


Itl 


bserved 
but  itl 

of  the 

soovor- 

moinent 

)ting  to 

some 

than  a 


fiiinteit  breath  of  wind  could  be  felt.  Tbe  nea  had  a  beautiful 
oright  gieen  color,  afid  was  caliu  as  a  Hmull  laJce,  except  when 
an  occasional  swell  rolled  from  that  quarter  in  which  the  wind 
had  been  the  preceding  night;  and  the  water  was  so  clear, 
that  I  saw  to  the  bottom,  and  even  distinguished  little  tishei 
sporting  around  the  keel  of  our  vessel. 

Four  of  the  seamen  were  dead,  but  the  mate  and  the  re- 
liiaining  three  had  so  far  recovered,  as  to  be  able  to  walk 
across  the  deck.  The  ship  was  almost  in  a  disabled  state. 
Part  of  the  wreck  of  the  fore  top-mast  lay  upon  her  bows,  and 
the  rigging  and  sails  of  the  mainmast  had  suffered  much  injury. 
The  mate  told  me,  that  the  soundings,  and  almost  every  thing 
else,  proved  we  were  on  the  Buhuma  banks,  though  he  had 
not  yet  ascertained  on  what  part  of  them  we  lay,  and  conse- 
quently could  not  say  whether  we  had  much  chance  of  soon 
falling  in  with  any  vessel. 

The  day  passed  gloomily.  They  regarded  every  cloud  that 
rose  upon  the  horizon  as  the  forerunner  of  a  breeze,  which  we 
above  all  things  feared  to  encounter.  Much  of  our  time 
was  employed  in  preparing  for  the  painful  but  necessary  duty 
of  interring  the  dead.  The  carpenter  soon  got  ready  a  suf- 
ficient number  of  boards;  to  each  of  which  we  bound  one 
of  the  corpses,  and  also  weights  enough  to  make  it  sink  to  the 
bottom 

About  ten  at  night,  we  began  to  commit  the  bodies  to  the 
deep.  A  dead  calm  had  prevailed  the  whole  day,  and  not  a 
cloud  obscured  the  sky.  The  sea  reflected  the  stars  so  dis- 
tinctly, that  it  seemed  as  if  we  were  consigning  our  departed 
companions  to  a  heaven  as  resplendent  as  that  above  us. 
There  was  an  awful  solemnity,  alike  in  the  scene  and  in 
our  situation.  I  read  the  funeral  service,  and  then  we  drop- 
ped the  corpses  overboard,  one  afler  another.  The  sea  spark- 
led around  each,  as  its  sullen  plunge  announced  that  the 
waters  were  closing  over  it,  and  they  all  slowly  and  succes- 
sively descended  to  the  bottom,  enveloped  in  a  ghastly  glim 
mering  brightness,  which  enabled  us  to  trace  their  progress 
though  the  motionless  deep.  When  these  last  offices  of  re- 
spect were  performed,  we  retired  in  silence  io  different  parts 
of  the  ship. 

About  midnight,  the  mate  ordered  the  men  to  cast  anchor, 
which,  till  then,  they  had  not  been  able  to  accomplish.  They 
likewise  managed  to  furl  most  of  the  sails,  and  we  went  to  bed, 
under  the  consoling  idea,  that  though  a  breeze  did  spring  up, 
fur  moorings  would  enable  us  to  weather  it  without  any  rislt 
TOL.   I.  6 


I 


wm 


mm 


m 


THE     FATAL    RBPAST. 


I  was  roiased  early  next  morning  by  a  confused  noise  upon 
ieck.  When  I  got  there,  I  found  the  men  gazing  intentlv 
over  the  side  of  the  ship,  and  I  inquired  if  our  anchor  held  fast. 
— *'Ay,  ay,"  returned  one  of  them,  "rather  faster  than  wo 
wani  it.''  On  approaching  the  bulwarks,  and  looking  dovm^ 
I  perceived,  to  my  horror  and  astonishment,  all  the  corpse* 
lying  at  the  bottom  of  the  sea,  as  if  they  had  just  been  drc ; 
ped  into  it. 

We  were  now  exempted  from  the  ravages  and  actual  pre 
nence  of  death,  but  his  form  haunted  us  without  intermission 
We  hardly  dared  to  look  over  the  ship's  side,  lest  our  eyes 
should  encounter  the  ghastly  features  of  some  one  who  had 
formerly  been  a  companion,  and  at  whose  funeral  rites  we 
had  recently  assisted.  The  seamen  began  to  murmur  among 
themselves,  saying  that  we  would  never  be  able  to  leave  the 
spot  where  we  then  were,  and  that  our  vessel  would  remain 
there  and  rot. 

In  the  evening  a  strong  breeze  sprung  up,  and  filled  us 
with  hopes  that  some  vessel  would  soon  come  in  sighi  and  af- 
ford us  relief.  At  sunset,  when  the  mate  was  giving  direc- 
tions about  the  watch,  one  of  the  seamen  cried  out,  "  Thank 
Heaven,  there  they  are."  And  the  other  ran  up  to  him  say- 
ing, "  W^':;re,  where?"  He  pointed  to  a  flock  of  Mother 
Carey's  chickens  that  had  jupt  appeared  astern,  and  began  to 
count  how  many  there  were  of  them.  I  inquired  what  was 
the  matter,  and  the  mate  replied,  *'  Why,  only  that  we  've 
seen  the  worst,  that 's  all,  master.  I  've  a  notion  we  '11  fall 
in  with  a  sail  before  twenty  hours  are  past." — "  Have  you 
any  particular  reason  for  thinking  so?  "  said  I.  "  To  be  sure 
I  have,"  returned  he,  "  Are  n't  them  there  birds  an  omen  of 
returning  good  fortune.'' — "  I  have  always  understood,"  said 
I,  "  that  these  birds  indicate  bad  weather,  or  some  unfortu- 
nate event,  and  this  appears  to  me  to  be  true." — "  Ay,  ay,'" 
replied  he,  ^^  they  say  experience  teaches  fools,  and  I  have 
found  it  so;  there  was  a  time  when  I  did  not  believe  that  these 
creatures  were  any  thing  but  common  birds,  but  I  know 
another  story — Oh  I  've  witnessed  such  strange  things!  " 

Next  morning  I  was  awakened  b^  the  joyful  intelligence 
that  a  schooner  was  in  sight,  and  thai  she  had  hoisted  her  flag 
in  auswer  to  our  signals.  She  bore  down  upon  us  with  a  good 
wind,  and  in  about  an  hour  hove  to,  and  spoke  us.  When  we 
Aad  informed  t'  em  of  our  unhappy  situation,  the  captain  order- 
ed  the  boat  to  be  lowered,  and  came  on  board  of  our  vessel^ 
frilh  three  of  his  crew.     He  was  a  thick,  short,  dark-compl«i- 


•  «. 


THE    FAtAL    KfiPAST. 


i^ 


f^ 


■^ 


^ 


loned  man,  and  his  language  and  accent  diseovernd  him  to 
be  a  native  of  the  8oiMh6rn  states  of  America.  The  mate  im- 
mediately proceeded  fo  detail  minutely  all  that  happened  to  us, 
but  he  soon  interrupted  it,  by  asking  of  what  our  cargo  con- 
sisted Having  been  satis.Hed  on  this  point,  he  said  ^'  Seeing 
as  how  things  stand,  I  conclude  you  '11  be  keen  for  getting 
into  port." — "Yes,  that  of  course  is  our  earnest  wish,"  re- 
plied the  matC;  "  and  we  hope  o  be  able  by  your  assistance  to 
accomplish  it." — "  Ay,  we  must  all  assist  one  another,'*  re- 
turned the  captain — "  Well,  I  was  just  calculating,  that  youi 
plan  would  be  to  run  into  New  Providence — I  'm  bound  for 
St.  Thomas's  and  you  can't  expect  that  I  should  turn  ab<#tit, 
and  go  right  back  with  you — neither  that  I  should  let  you  have 
any  of  my  seamen,  for  I  Ml  not  be  able  to  make  a  good  trade 

,  unless  I  get  slick  into  port.  Now  I  have  three  nigger  slaves 
on  board  of  me, — curse  them,  they  don't  know  much  about  sea- 
jtiatters,  and  are  as  lazy  ash — 1,  but  keep  flogging  them  Mister, 
— keep  dogging  them  I  say, — by  which  means,  you  will  make 
them  serve  your  ends.  Well,  as  I  was  saying,  I  will  let  you 
have  them  blacks  to  help  you,  if  you  '11  buy  them  of  me  at  a 
fair  price,  and  pay  it  down  in  hard  cash." — "  This  proposal,*' 
said  the  mate,  "sounds  strange  enough  to  a  British  seaman; 
and  how  much  do  you  ask  for  your  slaves?  " — "  I  can't  let 

■4hem  go  under  three  hundred  dollars  each,"  replied  the  cap- 
tain, "  I  guess  they  would  fetch  more  in  St.  Thomas's,  for 
they  're  prime,  blow  me." — "  Why,  there  is  'nt  that  sum  of 
money  in  this  vessel,  (hat  I  know  of,"^||^swered  the  mate; 
^  and  though  I  could  pay  it  myself,  I  'm  sure  the  owners 
never  would  agree  to  indemnify  me.  I  thought  you  would  have 
afforded  us  every  assistance  without  asking  any  thing  in  re- 
tarn, — a  true  sailor  would  have  done  so  at  least," — "  Well.  I 
vow  you  are  a  strange  man,"  said  the  captain.  "  Is  'nt  it  fair 
that  I  should  get  something  for  my  niggers,  and  for  the  chance 
I  '11  run  of  spoiling  my  trade  at  St.  Thomas's,  by  making  my- 
self short  of  men?  But  we  shan't  split  about  a  small  matter, 
and  I  'II  lessen  the  price  by  twenty  a  head." — "  It  is  ut  of  the 
question,  sir,''  cried  the  mate,  "  I  have  no  money." — "Oh 
there  s  no  harm  done,"  returned  the  captain,  "  we  can  't  trade, 
that 's  all.  Get  ready  the  boat,  boys — I  guess  your  n.en  will 
soon  get  smart  again,  and  then,  if  the  weather  holds  moderate, 
you  '11  reach  port  with  the  greatest  ease." — "  You  surely  v^o 
not  mean  to  leave  us  this  barbarous  way?"  cne?!!  I;  "  th* 
owners  of  this  vessel  would,  I  am  confident,  pay  any  w:!>? 
rttliM  than  that  we  should  perish  through  your  inaumao'ty 


!  -1 
-.■1,  < 


4 


tU 


THE    FATAL   RSPASt 


— "  Well,  mister,  I  've  got  owners  too,"  replied  ^e  aT<«  my 
business  is  to  make  a  good  voyage  for  them.  Markets  are 
pretty  changeable  just  now,  and  it  won't  do  to  spend  time 
talking  about  humanity — money  's  the  word  with  me." 

Having  said  this,  he  leaped  into  the  boat,  and  ordered  his 
men  to  row  towards  his  own  vessel.  As  soon  as  they  got  on 
board,  they  squared  topsail,  and  bore  away,  and  were  soon 
out  of  the  reach  of  our  voices.  We  looked  at  one  another 
for  a  little  time  with  an  expression  of  quiet  despair,  and  thon 
the  seamen  began  to  pour  forth  a  torrent  of  invectives,  and 
abuse,   against  the  heartless  and  avaricious  shipmaster  who 

had  inhumanly  deserted  us.     Major  L and  his  wife,  being 

in  the  cabin  below,  heard  all  that  passed.  When  the  captain 
first  came  on  board,  they  were  filled  with  rapture,  thinking 
that  we  would  certainly  be  delivered  from  the  perils  and  dif- 
ficulties that  environed  ns;  but  as  the  conversation  proceeded, 
their   hopes  gradually   diminished,   and  the  conclusion  of  it 

made  Mrs.  L give  way  to  a  flood  of  tears,  in  which  I 

found  her  indulging  when  1  went  below. 

The  mate  now  endeavored  to  encourage  the  seamen  to  ex- 
ertion They  cleared  away  the  wreck  of  the  fore-top-mast 
which  had  hitherto  encumbered  the  deck,  and  hoisted  a  sort 
of  jury-mast  in  its  stead,  on  which  they  rigged  two  sails 
When  these  things  were  accomplished,  we  weighed  anchor, 
and  laid  our  course  for  New  Pr.ovidence.  The  mate  had  for- 
tunately been  upon  the  Bahama  seas  before,  and  was  aware 
of  the  difficulties  he  would  have  to  encounter  in  navigating 
them.  The  weather  continued  moderate,  and  after  two  days 
of  agitating  suspense,  we  made  Exuma  Island,  and  cast  anchor 
near  its  shot'e 


->^ 


"V&: 


AVTBHTUmBS  09   M40AME  WMMV 


tU 


I 


r  "! 


ADVENTURES  OF  MADAME  DENOYEB 

The  distressing  situation  to  which  Madame  Denoyer,  « 
courageous  and  unfortunate  Creole  of  Cape  Francis^  in  St 
Domingo,  was  reduced,  must  affect  every  tender  and  Tirtuoui 
mind.     Her  narrative  shows    info  what  excesses  the   base 
desire  of  gain  is  sometimes  capable  of  leading  men. 

M.  Denoyer,  an  inhabitant  of  Cape  Francis,  where  he  had 
gained  universal  esteem,  with  a  view  to  improve  his  circum- 
stances, formed  the  design  of  settling  at  Samana,  a  bay  in  the 
portion  of  St.  Domingo,  then  belonging  to  Spain.  Thit 
intention  he  communicated  to  his  wife,  by  whom  it  was  ap- 
oroved  of. 

Afler  residing  a  year  at  Samana,  Madame  Denoyer  request- 
ed her  husband  to  return  to  Gape  Francis,  where  her  native 
air  was  more  favorable  to  her  health.  M.  Denoyer  was  too 
fond  of  his  wife  not  to  comply  with  her  desire.  They,  accord- 
ingly, embarked  in  a  small  vessel  belonging  to  them,  with  a 
child  seven  years  old,  another  at  the  breast,  and  a  female 
negro  servant,  Villed  Catharine.  While  they  were  preparing 
for  the  voyage,  an  English  vessel  was  loot  upon  th^  coast;  the 
crew,  however,  had  the  good  fortune  to  reach  the  land.  Ai 
*]itr«  WM  at  Samana  a  small  French  ihip  jutt  ready  to  Mij^ 


i  4 


7^ 


Itt 


SSSQS^ 


AJDVIIf TUBES   OP    MAI>A3fR    DENOYIE 


the  shipwrecked  men,  eight  in  number,  intrcatcd  the  com* 
mander,  the  Sieur  Verrier,  to  receive  them  on  boaid,  and  to 
take  them  either  to  Cape  Francis,  or  Monte  Christo.  Being 
unable  to  accommodate  them  all,  he  proposed  to  M.  Denoyer 
to  take  two  of  them  in  his  bark.  One  of  these  was  the 
captain,  whose  name  was  John,  and  the  other  was  called 
Young.  ■  jr 

M.  Denoyer,  being  a  man  of  humane  disposition,  received 
them  with  pleasure,  gave  them  linen  and  clothes,  treated  them 
with  the  utmost  kindness,  in  return  for  which  they  promised 
all  the  assistapce  in  their  power  to  their  benefactor. 

M.  Denoyer  set  sail  at  the  beginning  of  March,  1766,  hav- 
ing likewise  on  board  two  French  seamen,  whom  he  had  hired 
to  navigate  the  vessel.  As  they  steered  their  course  close  in 
shore,  when  they  arrived  opposite  the  habitation  of  Manuel 
Borgne,  several  leagues  distant  from  the  place  of  their  depar- 
ture, the  two  French  seamen  requested  M.  Denoyer,  to  put 
them  oh  shore,  as  the  assistance  of  the  two  Englishmen,  whom 
he  had  so  hospitably  received,  would  be  sufficient.  With  this 
request  M.  Denoyer  ccmplied. 

About  ten  o'clock  the  followmg  morning  M.  Denoyer,  with 
the  help  of  the  two  Englishmen,  set  sail.  They  came  to  an 
anchor,  in  the  evening,  at  a  place  called  Grigri,  a  league  fr«m 
Porto  Plata,  on  the  north  coast  of  St.  Domingo.  They  sup- 
ped together  near  the  shore,  after  which,  covering  the  poop 
with  palmetto-leaves,  and  erecting  a  kind  of  awning,  they 
placed  underneath  it  a  matti  iss  for  Madame  Dencyer,  her  two 
children,  and  negro  servant,  to  sleep  upon.  M.  Denoyei 
tnrew  himself  upon  another  mattrass  at  the  feet  of  his  wife, 
while  the  two  Englishmen  lay  down  at  the  head  of  the  bark. 

They  slept  soundly  till  midnight,  when  they  were  awak- 
ed by  the  cries  of  their  infant  daughter.  After  milking  the 
goat  which  they  had  taken  with  them,  for  the  purpose  of  suck- 
ling the  child,  M.  Denoyer  lay  down  again.  About  three  or 
four  o'clock  in  the  morning  his  wife  was  disturbed  by  the  duii 
sound  of  violent  blow,  which  seemed  to  be  the  stroke  of  a 
hatchet,  on  the  bed  of  her  husband,  whom  she  heard  sigh. 
Trembling  with  affright  she  awoke  her  black  servant,  crying: 
"Good  God!  Catharine,  they  are  killing  M.  Denoyer;"  At 
the  same  time  she  lifted  up  the  cloth  which  composed  the 
awning,  when  John  darted  towards  her  bed,  with  a  hatchet  in 
his  hand,  and,  with  a  ferocious  look,  threatened  to  kill  her  if 
■he  made  the  least  motion  to  rise,  and  unless  she  immediatelj 
let  down  the  cloth;  after  which  the  perfidious  assatsin  return 


/m 


ADVKNTURRS  OF  MADAME  DKNOTSR 


If! 


ed,  and  with  two  more  strokes  dcHpatchcd  his  victim;  he  then 
bent  the  sails,  and  Young  repaired  to  the  hehn,  with  the  in- 
tention of  steering  towards  New  York. 

At  break  of  day  the  bark  was  two  leagues  distant  from  the 
shore.  Madame  Denoyer,  overwhelmed  with  fear,  scarcely 
had  strength  to  rise  from  her  bed.  But  what  were  her  feel- 
ings at  the  horrid  spectacle  which  presented  itself  to  her  eyes? 
She  beheld  the  mattrass,  upon  which  was  extended  the  man- 
gled body  of  her  husband,  floating  v>n  the  water!  The  barbar- 
GV.5  John,  aggravating  his  crime  by  the  bitterest  raillery,  said: 
"Make  yourself  easy,  your  husband  is  taking  a  sound  nap." 
A  moment  afterwards  he  returned  to  her  armed  with  a  dagger, 
demanding  her  husband's  arms,  and  the  keys  of  his  boxes. 

Madame  Denoyer  delivered  them  to  him.  The  villain  hav- 
ing rummaged  in  every  place,  without  finding  any  money,  re- 
turned them.  The  disconsolate  widow  then  melting  into  tears, 
(the  source  of  which  seemed  to  have  been  before  dried  up  by 
grief  and  terror),  asked  him  why  he  had  murdered  her  hus- 
band, since  he  had  no  money.''  The  assassin  replied,  that  it 
was  for  the  sake  of  the  vessel,  which  he  had  to  take  to  New 
York.  Afler  these  words  the  monster  appeared  to  relent,  and 
offered  the  afflicted  lady  tea  and  chocolate.  She  answered, 
that  she  wanted  nothing;  upon  which  he  told  her  not  to  grieve, 
that  he  intended  her  no  injury,  but  on  the  contrary,  would 
land  her  on  French  ground,  with  all  her  baggage.  During 
the  remainder  of  the  day  he  lefl  her  at  liberty  to  resign  herself 
entirely  to  her  sorrow. 

It  may  be  supposed  that  the  night  afforded  no  repose  to  this 
unfortunate  woman.  The  image  of  her  husband  murdered  by 
villains  whom  he  had  treated  with  the  utmost  kindness,  inces> 
santly  haunted  her;  their  cruelty,  their  baseness,  their  brutal- 
ity, augmented  her  apprehensions,  and  rendered  them  still 
more  terrible  when  she  cast  her  eyes  on  her  beloved  infants. 
While  her  mind  was  occupied  with  the  most  gloomy  and  most 
afflicting  ideas,  she  heard  the  two  executioners  of  her  hus- 
band planning  an  outrage  which  every  virtuous  woman  dreads 
more  than  death  itself  John,  the  infamous  John,  proposed  to 
his  companion  to  take  the  servant,  reserving  the  mistress  for 
himself;  but  Young  refusing  to  comply,  the  villinns,  afler 
fastening  the  helm,  lay  down  The  Wack  servant  conceived 
the  design  of  putting  out  their  eyes  with  a  nail  while  they 
were  asleep;  but  fearing  lest  tbey  only  feigneu  sleep;  sha 
relinquished  the  undertaking.  ^ 


.5 

1  - 


.  1  -I 


li 


ABTIirrURIS  OF    MADAM B   DBIfOTER 


I 


J  t 


At  the  dawning  of  the  following  day  they  set  sail,  and  kejy 
out  to  sea.  Madame  Denoyer  inquired  whether  they  intend 
ed  to  take  her  to  New  York,  Thoy  replied,  that  if  she  wish- 
ed to  go  to  Cape  Francis,  one  of  ihern  would  take  her,  the 
children  and  black  servant  thither  in  the  canoe  which  thM|# 
had  on  board.  Anxiety  concerning  her  future  fate;  the  sis^ 
of  the  villains,  stained  with  her  husband's  blood;  her  forl^i 
situation;  her  apprehensions  and  grief;  induced  her  t6  ac- 
cept this  offer,  though  the  canoe  was  very  small  to  withstand 
the  fury  of  the  waves;  this  kind  of  boat,  being  made  of  a 
single  trunk  of  a  tree,  after  the  manner  of  the  savages  of 
America.  Having  acquainted  them  with  her  resolution,  John 
told  her  to  pick  up  her  linen  in  a  bundle,  her  boxes  being  too 
bulky  to  be  removed  into  a  canoe.  He  himself  put  into  it  a 
wretched  straw  mattrass,  four  biscuits,  a  pitcher  containing 
about  four  quarts  of  fresh  water,  six  eggs,  and  a  small  quan- 
tity of  salt  pork.  John  having  put  into  it  the  children  and  the 
black  servant,  searched  Madame  Denoyer's  pockets,  where  he 
found  her  husband's  silver  stock-buckles  and  shoe-buckles, 
which  he  took  from  her,  together  with  the  linen  which  she 
had  packed  up.  Having,  at  length,  got  into  the  boat,  she 
waited  with  impatience  for  the  conductor  that  had  been  pro- 
mised her,  when  she  saw  Young  cut  the  rope  by  which  the 
boat  was  fastened;  he  then  repaired  to  the  helm,  while  John 
bet  the  sails,  and  the  vessel  was  soon  out  of  sight.  The  sky 
and  the  ocean  were  the  only  objects  she  had  then  in  view. 

Abandoned  in  the  midst  of  the  waves,  far  from  any  coast, 
Ihe  forlorn  widow  demanded  relief  of  her  husband's  assassins; 
she  conjured  them,  with  all  the  eloquence  of  an  affectionate 
mother,  to  take  compassion  on  her  offspring.  When  her 
voice  failed  she  continued  to  supplicate  with  the  most  expres- 
sive and  affecting  gestures.  The  assassins,  deaf  to  all  her 
intreaties,  abandoned  the  wretched  family  to  its  fate,  and  dis- 
appeared. 

Consternation,  the  excess  of  her  grief,  the  danger  which 
threatened  the  objects  dearest  to  her  heart,  combined  to  re- 
duce her  to  a  state  of  total  insensibility.  Her  faithful  slave 
employed  every  method  in  her  power  to  recover  her  mistress. 
She  revived,  but  only  to  behold  the  abyss  ready  to  receive  her, 
to  deplore  the  wretched  situation  of  hct  '  eloved  children,  who 
were  '-kely  to  be  the  prey  of  the  monst  s  of  the  deep.  She 
pressed  them  to  her  bosom,  bedewed  t^  n  with  her  tears,  and 
eveiy  time  she  cast  her  eyes  upon  them  she  imagined  that  she 


ABTINTURBS  OF  MADAME  DINOTBR. 


189 


beheld  them  for  the  last  time.  Resigning  herself  entirely  to 
the  direction  ofProvidet.ee,  she  suffered  the  canoe  to  float  at 
the  will  of  the  waves. 

But  the  approach  of  a  horribly  dark  night  socn  augmented 
her  danger  and  her  apprehensions.  To  crown  the  misfortunes 
o^  the  distressed  family,  the  wind  began  to  blow  with  great 
violence,  the  waves  rose,  and,  amidst  their  impetuous  shocks, 
a  sea  broke  over  the  canoe,  washed  away  the  biscuit  and  fresh 
water,  while  the  attention  of  the  wretched  women  was  divert- 
ed from  such  a  great  misfortune  only  by  the  fear  of  being 
swallowed  up  by  a  wave  still  more  tremendous.  It  is  impos- 
sible to  describe  the  protracted  horrors  of  this  terrible  night 

The  wished-for  dawn  at  length  arrived,  and  brought  calmer 
weather,  but  no  other  consolation.  They  beheld  nothing  but 
iky  and  water,  and  were  ignorant  which  way  to  direct  their 
course.  In  this  desperate  situation  Madame  Denoyer  never 
ceased  to  implore  the  assistance  of  Providence,  the  only  sup- 
port of  the  unfortunate. 

In  this  manner  they  passed  seven  days  and  seven  nights, 
exposed  to  the  inclemencies  of  the  weather,  without  drink  or 
food  of  any  kind,  excepting  a  little  salt  pork.  Exhausted  with 
fatigue,  the  enfeebled  mother  was  every  moment  losing  the 
little  strength  she  had  lefl;  but  in  this  condition,  the  idea  ef  a 
speedy  death  was  less  terrible  than  the  deplorable  state  of  her 
children.  In  quitting  them  she  was  desirous  of  giving  the 
most  precious  mark  of  maternal  affection.  She  was  on  the 
point  of  opening  a  vein,  to  prolong  the  life  of  the  little  inno- 
cent, closely,  prest  to  her  bosom,  when  Catharine  discovered  a 
distant  sail.  This  intelligence  gave  Madame  Denoyer  new 
life;  both  the  women  shouted  and  made  signs.  They  soon 
perceived  that  their  signals  were  seen,  and  that  the  vessel  was 
standing  towards  them.  A  new  danger  now  intervened.  The 
waves  broke  with  such  force  against  the  ship  as  to  render  them 
apprehensive  that  the  canoe  would  be  sunk  if  they  attempted 
to  get  on  board.  However,  by  the  management  of  the  cap- 
tain, the  widow,  the  children,  and  the  black  servant  were 
taker,  on  board  the  vessel.  She  arrived  safely  in  the  road  of 
New  Orleans,  the  place  of  their  destination.  Madame  De- 
noyer had  the  good  fortune  to  find  there  M.  Rougeot,  a  notary, 
•and  near  relation,  who  received  her  and  her  family,  rescued, 
as  it  were,  from  the  tomb,  with  the  greatest  joy  and  affection. 

The  inhabitants  of  Louisiana  generously  raised  a  subscrip- 
tion for  the  relief  of  the  unfortunate  lady.  She  gave  her  Hb- 
wtjr  to  Catharine,  the  faithful  companicn  of  all  her  distress >■; 


M 


».i  -> 


30 


NAKRATIYB  OF  CAPTAIN  CAZNBAO. 


but  that  female,  touched  witli  the  gratitude  of  her  nHsti^ess,  re 
^used  to  leave  her,  declaring  that  nothing  but  death  should 
part  them. 

The  above  facts  were  attested  by  Madame  Denoycr  before 
he  proper  officer  at  Now  Orleans,  to  whom  she  likewise  gave 
a  description  of  her  husband's  assassins.  Inquiry  was  maae 
concerning  them  at  New  York,  but  whether  they  perished  by 
the  just  judgment  of  Providence,  or  found  means  to  escape 
detection,  was  never  ascertained.  . 


NARRATIVE  OF  CAPTAIN  W.  L.  CAZNEAU 


-^   .  y  ,: 


The  Brig  Polly,  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  tons  burthen, 
■ailed  from  Boston,  with  a  cargo  of  lumber  and  provisions,  on 
a  voyage  to  Santa  Croix,  on  the  12th  of  December  1811, 
under  the  command  of  Capt.  W.  L.  Cazneau — with  a  mate, 
four  seamen  and  a  cook  ;  Mr.  I.  S.  Hunt,  and»>negro  girl  of 
nine  years  of  age,  passengers.  Nothing  material  happened 
until  the  15th,  when  they  had  cleared  cape  Cod,  the  shoal  of 
Georges,  and  nearly,  as  they  supposed,  crossed  the  gulf 
stream,  when  there  came  on  a  violent  gale  from  the  south- 
east, in  which  the  brig  labored  very  hard,  which  produced  a 
leak  that  so  gained  on  the  purnps  as  to  sound  nearly  six  feet, 
— when  about  midnight  she  was  upset,  and  IMr.  Hunt  washed 
overboard  !  Not  having  any  reason  to  hope  for  her  righting, 
by  much  exertion  tlie  weather  lanyards  were  cut  away,  the 
deck  load  havmg  been  before  thrown  over  and  the  lashings  al. 
gone  ;  in  about  half  an  hour  the  mainmast  went  by  the  board, 
vid  soon  after  the  foremast,  when  she  righted,  though  full  of 
>¥ater,  a  dreadful  sea  makmg  a  fair  breach  over  her  from  stem 
tO  stern.  In  this  situation  the  night  wore  away,  and  daylight 
found  all  alive  except  the  passenger,  and  upon  close  search 
the  little  girl  was  found  clinging  to  the  skylight,  and  so  saved 
from  drowning  in  the  cabin.  The  glass  and  grating  jt  the 
skylight  having  gon^  away,  while  on  her  beams  ends,  the  little 
girl  was  drawn  through  the  openings,  but  so  much  chilled  tliat 


wmmm. 


VABEATITI    or  CAPTAIlf  eiXHIAV. 


t$ 


4(<^     k 


• 


■he  lurTired  but  a  few  hours.  In  this  situation  they  remained 
without  fire,  as  near  ua  the  captain  can  recollect,  twelve  days 
when  the  cook,  an  Indian  Train  Canton,  near  Boston,  suggest 
ed  the  operation  of  rubbing  two  sticks  together,  which  sue- 
ceeded.  Very  fortunately  the  camboose  did  not  go  overboarc 
with  the  deck  load  :  this  was  got  to  windward,  a  fire  kindled 
and  some  provisions  cooked,  which  was  the  first  they  had  tast- 
ed, except  raw  pork,  for  the  whole  time.  They  now  got  up 
a  barrel  of  pork,  part  of  a  barrel  of  beef,  and  one  half  barrel 
of  beef  A  small  pig  had  been  saved  alive,  which  they  now 
dressed,  not  having  any  thing  to  feed  it  with.  But  at  thi» 
time  no  apprehension  was  entertained  of  suffering  for  meat, 
there  being  several  barrels  stowed  in  the  run,  and  upwards  of 
one  hundred  under  deck.  W/^h  this  impression,  the  r^eople 
used  the  provisions  very  imprudently,  till  they  discovered  that 
the  stern  post  was  gone,  and  the  gale  continuing  for  a  long 
time,  the  barrels  had  stove,  and  their  contents  were  all  lost 
forever. 

There  happened  to  be  a  cask  of  water  lashed  on  the  quarter 
deck,  which  was  saved,  containing  about  thirty  gallons,  all  the 
rest  was  lost.  This  lasted  about  eighteen  days,  when  the 
crew  were  reduced  to  the  necessity  of  catching  what  rain  they 
could,  and  having  no  more.  At  the  end  of  forty  days  the 
meat  was  all  gone,  and  absolute  famine  stared  them  in  tht.' 
face.  The  first  victim  to  this  destroyer  was  Mr.  Paddock, 
the  mate,  whose  exquisite  distress  seemed  to  redouble  the  suf- 
ferings of  his  companions.  He  was  a  man  of  a  robust  consti- 
tution, who  had  spent  his  life  in  the  Bank  fishing,  had  suffer- 
ed many  hardships  and  appeared  the  most  capable  of  standing 
the  shocks  of  misfoi  tune  of  any  of  the  crew.  In  the  meridan  of 
life,  being  about  thirty-five  years  old,  it  was  reasonable  to 
suppose  that,  instead  of  the  first,  he  would  have  been  the  last 
to  have  fallen  a  sacrilice  to  cold  and  hunger  :  but  Heaven 
ordered  it  otherwise- — he  became  delirious,  and  death  relieved 
him  from  his  sufferings  the  fiflieth  day  of  his  shipwreck.  Du- 
ring all  this  time,  the  stoims  continued,  and  would  oflen  over- 
whelm them  so  as  to  keep  them  always  drenched  with  sea- 
water,  having  nothing  to  screen  them,  except  a  temporar} 
kind  of  cabin  which  they  had  built  up  of  boards  between  the 
windlass  and  nighthead  on  the  larboard  side  of  the  forecastle 
The  next  who  sunk  under  this  horrid  press  of  disasters  was 
Howes,  a  young  man  of  about  thirty,  who  likewise  was  a 
fisherman,  by  profession,  and  tall,  spare,  and  as  smart  and 
u^ifm  a  seamai)  i^ts  ftnv  aboard.     He  likewise  died  deliriout 


MAERATIVl  or   CAPTAIN   OAINIAV 


and  in  dreadful  diatreiis,  n\j  days  after  Paddock,  being  the 
fifty-sixth  day  of  the  wreck.  It  was  soon  perceived  thut  this 
must  evidently  be  the  fatn  of  all  the  survivors  in  a  short  time, 
if  something  was  not  done  to  procure  water.  About  this  time 
good  luck,  or  more  probably,  kind  Providence,  enabled  them 
to  fish  up  the  tea-kettle  and  one  of  the  captain's  pistols  j  and 
necessity,  the  mother  of  invention,  suggested  the  plan  of  dis- 
tillation .  Accordingly,  a  piece  of  board  was  very  nicely  fitted 
to  the  mouth  of  the  boiler,  a  small  hole  made  in  it,  and  the 
tea-kettle,  bottom  upwards,  fixed  to  the  upper  side  of  the 
board,  the  pistol  barrel  was  fixed  to  the  nose  of  the  kettle  and 
kept  cool  by  the  constant  application  of  cold  water.  This 
completely  succeeded,  and  the  survivors,  without  a  doubt, 
owe  their  preservation  to  this  simple  experiment.  But  all 
that  could  be  obtained  by  this  very  imperfect  distillation,  was 
a  scanty  allowance  of  water  for  five  men  ;  yet  it  would  sustain 
life  and  that  was  all.  The  impression  that  there  was  meat 
enough  under  he  deck,  induced  them  to  use  every  exertion 
to  obtain  it ;  but  by  getting  up  pieces  of  bone,  entirely  bare 
of  meat  and  in  a  putrid  state,  they  found  thai  nothing  was  left 
for  them  but  to  rely  on  Heaven  for  food,  and  be  contented 
with  whatever  came  to  hand,  till  relief  should  come .  Their 
only  sustenance  now  was  barnacles  gathered  from  the  sides  of 
the  vessel  which  were  eaten  raw  that  the  distilling  might  not  be 
interrupted,  which  would  give  them  no  more  than  four  wine 
glasses  of  water  each  per  day.  The  next  food  which  they  ob- 
tained was  a  large  shark,  caught  by  ri)r:ans  of  a  running  bow- 
line. This  was  a  very  great  relief  and  lasted  some  time. 
Two  advantages  arose  from  this  signal  interposition  of  kind 
Providence  ;  for  while  they  lived  upon  their  shark,  the  bar- 
nacles were  growing  larger  and  more  nutritive.  They  likewise 
found  many  small  crabs  among  the  sea- weed  which  often  float- 
ed around  the  wreck,  which  were  very  pleasant  food.  But 
from  the  necessity  of  chewing  them  raw  and  sucking  out  the 
nourishment,  they  brought  on  an  obstinate  costiveness,  which 
became  extremely  painful  and  probably  much  exasperated  by 
the  want  of  water.  .     .      v 

On  the  15th  of  March,  according  to  their  computation,  poor 
Moho,  the  cook,  expired,  evidently  from  want  of  water,  though 
with  much  less  distress  than  the  others  and  in  the  full  exer 
cise  of  his  reason :  he  very  devoutly  prayed  and  appeared 
perfectly  resigned  to  the  will  of  the  Giid  who  afflicted  him. 
Their  constant  study  was  directed  to  the  improvement  of 
thmir  itiU^  which  was  made  much  better  by  tli«  Mldition  of  tbt 


NARRATIVI  OP  CArTAIN  CAZNCAO. 


199 


other  pistol  barrel,  which  wns  found  hy  fishing  with  the  graic 
tncy  made  by  tixing  nuilH  into  a  piece  of  u  stave.  With  this 
barrel  they  so  far  perft-jted  the  still  as  to  obtain  eight  junk 
bottles  full  of  water  in  twenty  four  hours.  But  from  the 
death  of  Moho  to  the  death  of  Johnson,  which  happened  about 
the  middle  of  April,  they  seemed  to  be  denied  every  kind  of 
food.  The  barnacles  were  all  gone,  and  no  friendly  gale  waft- 
ed to  their  6ide  the  sea-weed  from  which  they  could  obtain 
crabs  or  insects.  It  seemed  as  if  all  hope  was  gone  tbrevcr 
and  they  had  nothing  before  them  but  death,  or  the  horrid  al- 
ternative of  eating  the  flesh  of  their  dead  companion.  One 
expedient  was  left,  that  was  to  try  to  decoy  a  shark,  if  happily 
there  might  be  one  about  the  wreck,  by  part  of  the  corpse  of 
their  shipmate  !  This  succeeded,  and  they  caught  a  large 
shark,  and  from  that  time  had  many  fish  till  their  happy  de- 
liverance. Very  fortunately,  a  cask  of  nails  which  was  on 
deck,  lodged  in  the  lea  scuppers  while  on  their  beam  ends  * 
with  these  they  were  enabled  to  fasten  the  shingles  on  their 
cabin,  which  by  constant  improvement,  had  become  much 
more  commodious,  and  when  reduced  to  two  only,  they  had  a 
better  supply  of  water. 

They  had  now  drifted  above  two  thousand  miles  and  were  in 
latitude  28  North  and  longitude  13  West,  when  to  their  un- 
speakable joy  they  saw  three  ships  bearing  down  upon  them. 
The  ships  came  as  near  as  was  convenient,  and  then  hailed, 
which  Capt.  Cazneaii  answered  with  all  the  force  of  his  lungs. 
The  ship  which  hailed  proved  to  be  the  Fame  of  Hull,  Capt. 
Featherstone  bound  from  Rio  Janeiro  home,  it  so  happened 
that  the  three  Captains  had  dined  together  that  day  and  were 
all  on  board  the  Fame.  Humanity  immediately  sent  a  boat, 
which  put  an  end  to  the  dreadful  thraldom  of  Capt.  Cazneau 
and  Samuel  Badger,  the  only  surviving  persons  who  were  re- 
ceived hy  these  humane  Englishmen  with  exalted  sensibility 
Thus  was  ended  the  most  shocking  catastrophe  which  our 
naval  history  hps  recorded  for  many  years,  aller  a  series  of 
distresses  from  December  15th  to  the  20th  of  June,  a  period 
of  one  hundred  and  niaety  one  days  I  Every  attention  was 
paid  to  the  sufferers  that  generosity  warmed  with  pity  and  fel- 
low feeling  could  dictate,  on  board  the  Fame.  They  were 
cherished,  comforted,  fed,  clothed  and  nursed  until  the  9th  of 
July,  when  they  fell  in  with  Capt.  Perkins,  of  the  brig  Dromu, 
in  the  phops  of  the  channel  of  England,  who  generously  took 
tbem  on  board  and  carefully  perfected  the  work  of  goodoeM 


IM 


MAIN-TllUCK,    OR    A    LEAP    FOR   MFE. 


begun  by  the  generous  EnglLshmen,  aiul  safely  landed  them  \m 
Kennebunk. 

It  is  natural  to  inquire  how  they  couL  tlout  such  a  vast  dis 
tance  upon  the  most  frequented  part  of  the  Atlantic  and  not 
bo  discovered  all  this  time  ?  They  were  pansod  by  more  than 
a  dozen  nail,  one  of  which  came  so  nigh  them  that  they  could 
distinctly  see  the  people  on  deck  and  on  the  rigging  looking 
at  them  :  but  to  the  inexpressible  disappointment  of  the  starv- 
ing and  freezing  men,  they  stifled  the  dictates  of  compassion* 
hoisted  sail,  and  cruellv  abandoned  them  to  their  fate 


■  V 


THE  MAIN-TRUCK,  OK  A  LEAP  FOR  LIFE. 


Among  the  many  agreeable  associates  whom  my  different 
cruisings  and  wanderings  have  brought  me  acquainted  with,  I 
Chii  scarcely  call  to  mind  a  more  pleasant  and  companionable 
one  than  Tom  Scupper,  Poor  fellow  !  he  is  dead  and  gone 
now — a  victim  to  that  code  of  false  honor  which  has  robbed 
the  navy  of  too  many  of  its  choicest  officers.  Tom  and  I  were 
messmates  during  a  short  and  delightful  cruise,  and  for  a  good 
part  of  the  time,  we  belonged  to  the  same  watch.  He  was  a 
great  hand  to  spin  yarns,  which,  to  do  him  justice,  he  some- 
times told  tolerably  well  ;  and  many  a  long  mid-watch  has  his 
fund  of  anecdotes  and  sea  stories  caused  to  slip  pleasantly 
away.  We  were  lying,  in  the  little  schooner  to  which  we 
were  attached,  in  the  open  roadst^^ad  of  Laguyra,  at  single 
anchor,  when  Tom  told  nie  the  Ftory  which  I  am  about  to  le- 
late,  api  nearly  as  I  can  remember,  in  his  own  words.  A 
vessel  from  Baltimore  had  come  into  Laguyra  that  day,  and 
by  her  I  had  received  letters  from  home,  in  one  of  which  there 
was  a  piece  of  intelligence  that  weighed  very  heavily  on  my 
spirits.  For  some  minutes  after  our  watch  commenced,  Tom 
and  I  walked  the  deck  in  silence,  which  was  soon,  however, 
'  interrupted  by  my  talkative  companion,  who  perceiving  my 
depression,  and  wishing  to  divert  my  thoughts,  begav  vt 
follows:  .    .>^. 


"1^ 


TBI   MAllf-TRUCK,  OR   A    LBAI    FOR   UVB. 


136 


II 


V  ■'.  ■ 


i 


The  last  cruise  I  made  in  the  Mediterranean  was  in  old 
Ironsides,  as  we  used  to  call  our  gallant  frigate.  We  had 
Deen  backing  and  tilling  for  neveral  months  on  the  western 
coast  of  Africa,  frofii  the  Cunaries  down  to  Messurado,  in 
search  of  slave  traders;  and  during  that  time  we  had  had  some 
pretty  heavy  weather.  Wlitu  we  readied  the  straits,  there 
was  a  spanking  wind  blowing  from  about  west  south  west  ; 
■o  we  squared  away,  and,  without  coming  to  at  the  Rock, 
made  a  straight  wak(;  for  old  JNTalion,  the  general  rendezvous 
and  place  of  refitting;  for  our  squadrons  in  the  Mediterranean. 
Immediately  on  ai riving  there,  we  warped  in  alongside  the 
Arsenal  quay,  where  we  stripped  ship  to  a  girtline,  broke  out 
the  holds,  tiers,  and  store-rooms,  and  gave  her  a  regular-built 
overhauling  from  the  stem  to  stern.  For  awhile,  every  body 
was  busy,  and  all  seemed  bustle  and  confusion.  Orders  and 
replies;  in  loud  afid  dissimilar  voices,  the  shrill  pipings  of  the 
different  boatswain's  mates,  each  attending  to  separate  duties, 
and  the  aiingled  clatter  and  noise  of  various  kinds  of  work,  a!l 
gomg  on  at  the  saiiie  time,  gave  something  of  the  stir  and  anim- 
ation of  a  dock  ya/d  to  the  usually  quiet  arsenal  of  Mahon.  The 
boatswain  and  his  crew  weie  engaged  in  fitting  a  new  gang  ol 
rigging  ;  the  gunner  in  repairing  his  breechings  and  gun- 
tackles  ;  the  forecastle  men  in  calking  ;  the  top-men  in  send- 
ing down  the  yards  and  upper  spars  ;  the  holders  and  waisters 
in  whitewashing  and  holy  stoning  ;  and  even  the  poor  marines 
were  kept  busy,  like  beasts  of  burden,  in  carrying  breakers  of 
water  on  their  backs.  On  the  quay,  near  the  ship,  the  smoke 
of  the  armorer's  forge,  which  had  been  hoisted  out  and  sent 
ashore,  ascended  in  a  thin  black  column  through  the  clear 
blue  sky  5  from  one  of  the  neighboring  white  stone  ware- 
houses the  sound  of  saw  and  hammer  told  that  the  carpenters 
were  at  work  ;  near  by,  a  livelier  rattling  drew  attention  to 
the  cooper,  who  in  the  open  air  was  lightening  the  water- 
casks  ;  and  not  far  removed,  under  a. temporary  shed,  formed 
of  spare  studding-sails  and  tarpaulins,  sat  the  sailmaker  and 
his  assistants,  repairing  the  sails  which  had  been  rent  or  in- 
jured by  the  many  storms  we  had  encountered. 

Many  hands,  howev^er,  make  light  work,  and  in  a  very  few 
days  all  was  accomplished  :  the  stays  and  shrouds  were  set  up 
and  new  rattled  down  ;  the  yards  crossed,  the  running  rigging 
rove,  and  sails  bent  ;  and  the  old  crall,  fresh  painted  and  all 
a-taunt-o,  looked  as  tine  as  a  midshipman  on  liberty  In 
place  of  the  storm-stumps,  which  had  been  stowed  away 
Among  the  boomf  and  other  spare  spars,  ajudshipi,  we  hid 


id6 


THE   MAIN-tRUCJC,  OR    A    LEAP   VOR   LIFE. 


Bet  up  cap  toVallant-masta,  and  royal-poles,  with  a  shoave  fol 
skysails,  and  hoist  enough  for  skyscrapers  above  them  :  so 
you  may  judge  the  eld  frigate  looked  pretty  taunt.  There 
was  a  Dutch  line-ship  in  the  harbor  ;  but  though  .  e  only 
carried  forty-four  t-^  her  eighty,  her  main-truck  would  hardly 
have  reached  to  our  royal-mast-head.  The  side-boys,  whose 
duty  it  was  to  lay  alofl  and  furl  the  skysails,  looked  no  big- 
ger on  the  yard  than  a  good  sized  duff  for  a  midshipman's 
mess,  and  the  main-truck  seemed  not  half  as  large  as  the 
Turk's  head-knot  on  the  main-ropes  of  the  accommodation 
ladder 

When  we  had  got  every  thing  ship-shape  and  man-of-war 
fashion,  we  hauled  out  again,  and  took  our  berth  about  half 
way  between  the  Arsenal  and  Hospital  island  ;  and  a  pleasant 
view  :t  gave  us  of  the  town  and  harbor  of  old  Mahor»,  one  of 
the  safest  and  most  tranquil  places  of  anchorage  in  the  world. 
The  water  of  this  beautiful  inlet — which  though  it  makes 
about  four  miles  into  the  land,  is  not  much  over  a  quarter  of 
a  mile  in  width — is  scarcely  ever  ruffled  by  a  storm  ;  and  on 
the  delightful  afternoon  to  which  I  now  refer,  it  lay  as  still 
and  motionless  as  a  poHshed  mirror,  except  when  broken  into 
momentary  ripples  by  the  paddles  of  some  passing  waterman. 
What  little  wind  we  had  had  in  the  fore  part  of  the  day,  dieil 
away  at  noon,  and,  though  the  first  dog-watch  was  almost  out, 
and  the  sun  was  near  the  horizon,  not  a  breath  of  air  had  risen 
to  disturb  the  deep  serenity  of  the  scene.  The  Dutch'  liner, 
which  lay  not  far  from  us,  was  so  clearly  reflected  in  the  glassy 
surface  of  the  water,  that  there  was  not  a  rope  about  her,  from 
her  main-stay  to  her  signal  halliards,  which  the  eye  could  not 
distinctly  trace  in  her  shadowy  and  inverted  image.  The 
buoy  of  our  best  bower  floated  abreast  our  larboard  bow  ;  and 
that,  too,  was  so  strongly  imaged,  that  its  f  ntire  bulk  seemed 
to  lie  above  the  water,  just  resting  on  it,  as  if  upborne  on  a 
sea  of  molten  lead  ;  except  when  now  and  then,  the  vringing 
of  a  swab,  or  the  dashing  of  a  bucket  overboard  from  the  head, 
broke  up  the  shadow  for  a  moment,  and  showed  the  substance 
but  half  its  former  appnrent  size.  A  small  polacca  craft  had 
got  underway  frvim  Mahon  in  the  course  of  the  forenoon,  in- 
tending to  stand  tv^r  to  Barcelona  :  but  it  fell  dead  calm  just 
beibre  she  reached  the  chops  of  the  harbor ;  and  there  she 
lay  as  motionless  upon  the  blue  surface,  as  if  she  were  only 
part  of  a  mimic  scene  from  the  pencil  of  some  accomplished 
piintet  Her  broad  cotton  lateen-sails,  as  they  hung  droop- 
ing from  the  sla*^ting  .  nd  taper  yards,  shone  with  a  glitten- 


THl   MAlte-TllUCK,  Oil    A    LfelAP    POk    LIFB 


IJH 


ng  whiteness  that  contrasted  beautifully  with  the  dark  flood 
in  which  they  were  reflected  ;  and  the  distant  sound  of  the 
guitar,  which  one  of  the  sailors  was  listlessly  playing  on  her 
deck,  came  sweetly  over  the  water,  and  harmonized  well  with 
the  quiet  appearance  of  every  thing  around.  The  whitewash- 
ed walls  of^the  lazaretto,  on  a  verdant  headland  at  the  mouth 
of  the  bay,  glittered  like  silver  in  the  slant  rays  of  the  sun  ; 
and  some  of  its  windows  were  burr 'shed  so  brightly  by  the 
level  beams,  that  it  seemed  as  if  the  whole  interior  of  the 
edifice  were  in  flames.  On  the  opposite  side,  the  romantic 
and  picturesque  ruins  effort  St,  Philip,  faintly  seen,  acquiied 
double  beauty  frem  being  tipped  with  the  declining  light  ;  and 
the  clusters  of  ancient-looking  windmills,  which  dot  the  green 
eminences  along  the  bank,  added,  by  the  motionless  state  of 
their  wings,  to  the  effect  of  the  unbroken  tranquility  of  the 
scene. 

Even  on  board  our  vessel,  a  degree  of  stillness  unusual  for 
a  man-of-war  prevailed  among  the  c.ew.  It  was  the  hour  of 
their  evening  meal ;  and  the  low  hum  that  came  from  the  gun- 
deck  had  an  indistinct  and  buzzing  sound,  which,  like  the  tiny 
song  of  bees  of  a  warm  summer  noon,  rp.ther  heightened  than 
diminished  the  charm  of  the  surroundiig  quiet.  The  spar- 
deck  was  almost  deserted.  The  quarter-master  of  the  watch, 
.  with  his  spy-glass  in  his  hand,  and  dressed  in  a  frock  and 
trowsers  of  snowy  whiteness,  stood  aft  upca  the  taffrel,  erect 
and  motionless  as  a  statue,  keeping  the  usv<al  look-out.  A 
groupe  of  some  half  a  dozen  sailors  had  gathered  ogether  on 
the  forecastle,  where  they  were  supinely  lying  under  the  shade 
of  the  bulwrxrks  ;  and  here  and  there,  upon  the  gun-slides 
along  the  gangway,  sat  three  or  four  others — one,  with  his 
clothes-hag  beside  him,  overhauling  his  simple  wardrobe; 
another  working  a  set  of  clues  for  some  favorite  oincer's  ham- 
mock ;  and  a  third  engaged^  perhaps,  in  carving  his  name  in 
rude  letters  upon  the  handle  of  a  jack-knife,  cr  in  krotting 
a  laniard  with  which  to  suspend  it  round  his  neck 

Or.  the  top  of  the  boom  f.'over  and  in  the  full  glare  of  the 
level  sun,  lay  black  Jake,  the  jig-maker  of  the  ship,  and  a 
Ltriking  specimen  of  African  peculi^krities,  in  whose  singU 
person  they  were  all  strongly  developed.  His  flat  nosu  was 
dilated  to  unusual  width,  and  his  ebony  cheeks  fairly  glistened 
with  delight,  as  he  looked  up  at  the  'gambols  of  a  large  mon- 
key, which,  clinging  to  the  main-stay,  ju«t  above  Jake's  wool- 
ly bead,  was  chattering  and  grinning  back  at  the  negro,  as  i/ 
theie  ev'sted  gome  means  of  mutual  intelligence  between  them 


58 


THA   MlIN-TllUCK)   OR   A    Mir   FO.^  LlVt. 


It  wag  my  watch  on  deck,  and  I  had  heen  standing  severa 
minutes  leaning  on  the  main  iife-rui),  amusing  myself  by  ob- 
serving the  antics  of  the  black  and  his  congenial  playmate ; 
but  at  length)  tiring  of  the  rude  mirth,  had  tvirned  towards  the 
tafTrei,  to  gaze  o»  the  more  agreeable  features  of  that  scene 
which  I  have  feebly  attempted  to  describe.  Just  at  that  mo- 
ment a  shout  and  a  merry  laugh  burst  upon  my  ear,  and  look- 
ing quickly  round,  to  ascertain  the  'jause  of  the  unusual  sound 
on  a  frigate's  deck,  I  saw  little  Bob  Stay  (as  we  called  our 
commodore's  son)  standing  half  the  way  up  the  main-hatch 
ladder,  clapping  his  hands,  and  looking  aloft  at  some  object 
that  seemed  to  inspire  him  with  a  deal  of  glee.  A  single 
glance  to  the  main-yard  explained  the  occasion  of  his  merri- 
ment. He  had  been  coming  up  from  the  gun-deck,  when 
Jacko,  perceiving  him  on  the  ladder,  dropped  suddenly  down 
from  the  main-stay,  and  running  along  the  boom-cover,  leap- 
ed upon  Bob  shoulder,  seized  his  cap  from  his  head,  and  im- 
mediately darted  up  the  maintopaail  sheet,  and  thence  to  the 
bunt  of  the  mainyarfJ,  where  he  now  set,  picking  threads  from 
the  tassel  of  his  prize,  and  occasionally  scratching  his  side, 
and  chattering  as  if  with  exultation  for  the  success  of  his  mis- 
chief. But,  Bob  was  a  sprightly,  active  little  fellow  ;  and 
though  he  could  not  cli.nb  quite  as  nimble  as  a  monkey,  yet 
he  had  no  mind  to  lose  his  cap  without  an  effort  to  regain  it 
r_fhap8  he  was  the  more  strongly  incited  to  make  chase  after 
Jacko,  from  noticing  me  to  smile  at  his  pli'ijht,  or  by  the  loud 
laugh  of  Jake,  who  seemed  inexpreoaibly  delighted  at  the  oc- 
currence, and  endeavored  to  evince,  by  tumbling  about  the 
boom- cloth,  shaking  his  huge  misshapen  head,  and  sundry 
other  grotesque  actions,  the  pleasures  t'br  which  he  had  no 
WOi  Js. 

"  Ha,  you  d — n  rascal,  Jocko,  hab  you  no  more  respec'  for 
for  de  young  officer,  den  to  steal  his  cab?  We  bring  you  to 
de  gangway,  you  black  nigger,  and  gib  you  a  dozen  on  de 
bare  back  for  a  tief " 

The  monkey  looked  down  from  his  perch  as  if  he  understood 
the  threat  of  the  negro,  and  chattered  a  sort  of  defiance  in 
answer. 

"  Ha,  ha!  Massa  Stay,  he  say  you  mus'  ketch  him  'fore 
vou  flog  him;  and  it's  no  so  easy  for  a  midshipman  in  boots  to 
ketch  a  monkey  barefoot." 

A  red  spot  mounted  to  the  cheek  of  little  Bob,  as  he  cast 
one  glance  of  offended  j  ride  at  Jake,  and  than  sprang  across 
lite  deck  to  the  Jacob's  ladder.     In  an  instant  be  was  half-wA) 


^ 


--iir-j' 


4 


nU   MAIN-TRUCK,   OR   A    LEAP    FOR   LIFB. 


15J 


.•■»>,' 


k 


up  the  rigging,  running  over  the  rutlincs  as  lightly  as  if  they 
were~^an  easy  flight  of  stairs,  whilst  the  shrouda  scarcely 
quivered  beneath  his  elastic  motion.  In  a  second  more  hiH 
hand  wui  on  th3  futtocks, 

'' Massa  Stay!"  cried  Jake,  who  sometimes,  from  being  a 
favorite,  ventured  to  take  liberties  with  the  younger  officers, 
"  Massa  Stay,  you  best  crawl  through  de  lubber's  hole — it 
take  a  sailor  to  climb  u  futtock  shroud." 

But  he  had  scarcely  time  to  utter  his  pretended  caution  be- 
fore Bob  wag>  in  the  top.  The  monkey  in  the  meanwhile  had 
awaited  his  approach,  until  he  had  got  nearly  up  the  rigging, 
when  it  suddenly  put  the  cap  on  its  own  head,  and  running 
along  the  yard  to  the  opposite  side  of  the  top,  sprang  up  a 
rope,  and  thence  to  the  topmast  backstay,  up  which  it  ran  to 
the  crosstrees,  where  it  again  quietly  seated  itself,  and  re- 
sumed its  work  of  picking  the  tasse)  to  pieces.  For  several 
minutes  I  stood  watching  my  little  messmate  follow  Jacko 
from  one  piece  of  rigging  to  another,  the  monkey,  all  the 
while,  seeming  to  exert  only  so  much  agility  as  was  necessary 
to  elude  the   pursuer,  and  pausing  whenever  the  latter  ap- 

{)e0red  to  be  growing  weary  of  the  chase.  At  last,  by  this 
nnd  of  manoeuvring,  the  mischievous  animal  succeeded  in  en- 
ticing Bob  as  high  as  the  royal-mast-head,  when  springing 
suddenly  on  the  royal-stay,  it  ran  nimbly  down  to  th*}  fore-to' 
gallant-mast  head,  thence  down  the  rigging  to  the  fore-top, 
when  leaping  on  the  foreyard,  it  ran  out»to  the  yard-arm,  and 
hung  the  cap  on  the  end  of  the  studding-sail  boom,  where, 
taking  its  seat,  it  raised  a  loud  and  exulting  chattering.  Bob 
by  this  time  was  completely  tired  out,  and,  perhaps,  unwilling 
to  return  to  the  dock  to  be  laughed  at  for  his  fruitless  chase, 
ho  sat  down  on  the  royal  cross-trees  ;  while  those  who  had 
been  attracted  by  the  sport,  returned  to  their  usual  avocations 
or  amusements.  The  monkey,  no  longer  the  object  of  pur- 
suit or  attention,  remained  but  a  little  while  on  the  yard-arm; 
but  soon  taking  up  the  cap,  returned  in  towards  the  elings, 
4nd  dropped  it  down  upon  deck. 

Some  little  piece  of  duty  occurred  at  this  moment  to  engage 
me,  as  soon  as  which  was  performed  I  walked  aft,  and  leaning 
uiy  elbow  on  the  taffrel,  was  quickly  lost  in  the  recollection 
of  scenes  very  different  from  the  small  pantomime  I  had  just 
been  witnessing.  Soothed  by  the  low  hum  of  the  crew,  and 
by  the  quiet  loveliness  of  every  thmg  around,  my  tnoughts 
l-.ad  traveled  far  away  from  the  realities  of  my  situation,  when 
I  was  suddenly  startled  by  a  cry  from  block  Jake,  which 
.rou«i[ht  ine  on  the  instant  back  to  conaciousneaa, 


(40 


MA11f*TRITC¥,   OR   A.    r.EAP   TOR   UFI. 


"  My  €rod!  Massa  Scupper,"  cried  he,  "  Massa  Stay  u  oi 
de  main-truck!" 

A  cold  shudder  ran  through  my  veins  as  the  word  reacheo 
my  ear.  I  cast  my  eyes  up — it  was  too  true!  The  adven- 
turous boy,  after  resting  on  the  royal  cross-trees,  had  been 
seized  with  a  wish  to  go  still  higher,  and  impelled  by  one  of 
those  impulses  by  which  men  are  sometimes  instigated  to  place 
themselves  in  situations  of  imminent  peril  without  a  possibility 
of  good  resulting  from  the  exposure,  he  had  climbed  the  sky- 
sail-pole,  and,  at  theShfioment  of  my  looking  up,  was  actually 
standing  on  the  main-trutk !  a  small  circular  piece  of  wood  on 
the  very  summit  of  the  loftiest  mast,  and  at  a  height  so  great 
from  the  deck  that  my  brain  turned  dizzy  as  I  looked  up  at 
him.  The  reverse  of  Virgil's  line  was  true  in  this  instance 
It  was  comparatively  easy  to  ascend — but  to  descend — rmy 
head  swam  round,  and  my  stomach  felt  sick  at  thought  of  the 
perils  comprised  in  that  one  word.  There  was  nothing  above 
him  or  around  him  but  the  empty  air — and  beneath  him, 
nothing  but  a  poin  >*  mere  point — a  small,  unstable  wheel, 
that  seemed  no  bigge  m  the  deck  than  the  button  on  the 
end  of  a  foil,  and  the  ta^  ./  sky  sail-pole  itself  scarcely  larger 
than  the  blade.  Dreadful  temerity!  If  he  should  attempt  to 
stoop,  what  could  he  take  hold  of  to  steady  his  descent?  His 
feet  quite  covered  up  the  small  and  fearful^  platform  that  he 
stood  upon,  and  beneath  that,  a  long,  smooth,  naked  spar, 
which  seemed  to  bend  with  his  weight,  was  all  that  upheld 
him  from  destruction.  An  attempt  to  get  down  from  '^  that 
bad  eminence,"  would  be  almost  certain  death;  he  would  in- 
evitably lose  his  equilibrium,  and  be  precipitated  to  the  deck 
a  crushed  and  shapeless  mass.  Such  was  the  nature  of  the 
thoughts  that  crowded  through  my  mind  as  I  first  raised  my 
eye,  and  saw  the  terrible  truth  of  Jake's  exclamation.  What 
was  to  be  done  in  the  pressing  and  horrible  exigency?  'To 
hail  him,  and  inform  him  of  his  danger,  would  be  but  to  en- 
sure his  ruin.  Indeed,  I  fancied  that  the  rash  boy  already 
perceived  the  imminence  of  his  peril;  and  I  half  thought  that 
I  could  see  his  limbs  begin  to  quiver,  and  his  cheek  turn 
deadly  pale.  Every  moment  I  expected  to  see  the  dreadful 
catastrophe.  I  could  not  bear  to  look  at  him,  and  yet  could 
aot  withdraw  my  gaze.  A  film  came  over  my  eyes,  and  a 
faintneFs  over  my  heart.  The  atmosphere  seemed  to  grow 
thick,  and  to  tremble  and  waver  like  the  heated  air  around  a 
furnace;  the  mast  appeared  to  totter,  and  the  ship  to  pass 
froro  under  my  feet.     I  myself  had  the  sensations  of  one 


TBI   MAIN-TRUCK,   OR   A    L£AP    FOR    LIVE. 


141 


about  to  fall  from  a  great  height,  and  making  a  strong  effort 
to  r'^rnver  myself,  like  that  of  a  dreamer  who  fancies  he  is 
sh  d  from  a  precipice,  I  staggered  up  against  the  bul- 
wa    s. 

\N  aen  my  eyes  were  once  turned  from  the  dreadful  object 
to  which  they  had  been  riveted,  my  sense  and  consciousness 
came  back.  I  looked  around  me — the  deck  was  already 
crowded  witli  people.  The  intelligence  of  poor  Bob's  temer- 
ty  had  spread  through  the  ship  like  wild-fire — as  such  news 
always  will — and  the  officers  and  crew  were  all  crowding  to 
the  deck  to  behold  the  appalling — the  heart-rending  spectacle. 
Every  one,  as  he  looked  up,  turned  pale,  and  his  eye  became 
fastened  in  silence  on  the  truck — like  that  of  a  spectator  of  an 
execution  on  the  gallows — with  a  steadfast,  unblinking  and 
intense,  yet  abhorrent  gaze,  as  if  momently  expecting  a  fatal 
termination  to  the  awful  suspense.  No  one  made  a  sugges- 
tion— no  one  spoke.  Every  feeling,  every  faculty  seemed  to 
be  absorbed  and  swallowed  up  in  one  deep,  intense  emotion 
of  agony.  Once  the  first  lieutenant  seized  the  trumpet,  as  if 
to  hail  poor  Bob,  but  he  had  scarce  raised  it  to  his  lips  when 
his  arm  dropped  again,  and  sunk  listlessly  down  beside  him, 
as  if  from  a  sad  consciousness  of  the  utter  inutility  of  whai 
he  had  been  going  to  say.  Every  soul  in  the  ship  was  now 
on  the  spar-deck,  and  every  eye  was  turned  to  the  main- 
truck. 

At  this  moment  there  was  a  stir  among  the  crew  about  the 
gangway,  and  directly  after  another  face  was  added  to  those 
on  the  quarter-deck — it  was  that  of  the  commodore,  Bob's 
father.  He  had  come  alongside  in  a  shore  boai,  without  hav- 
ing been  noticed  by  a  single  eye,  so  intense  and  universal 
was  the  interest  that  had  fastened  every  gaze  upon  the  spot 
where  poor  Bob  stood  trembling  on  the  awful  verge  of  fate 
The  coMimodore  asked  not  a  question,  uttered  not  a  syllable. 
lie  was  a  dark-faced,  austere  man,  and  it  was  thought  by 
some  of  the  midshipmen  that  he  entertained  but  little  affection 
for  his  son.  However  that  might  have  been,  it  was  certain 
tiiat  he  treated  him  with  precisely  the  same  strict  discipline 
that  he  did  the  other  young  officers,  or  if  there  was  any  dif- 
ference at  all,  it  was  not  in  favor  of  Bob.  Some,  who  pre- 
tended to  have  studied  his  character  closely,  affirmed  that  he 
loved  his  bo)  too  well  to  spoil  him,  and  that,  intending  him 
for  the  arduous  profession  in  which  he  had  himself  risen  to 
fame  and  eminence,  he  thought  it  would  be  of  service  to  him 
to  esperience  tome  of  its  privatioog  ano  harilthipi  at  tkt 


149 


m  MAIIf-TRUCK,   OR   A   LEAP  FOR    UWM 


\l 


The  arrival  oi'  the  'unimodorc  chnngod  tlie  dirootion  of 
•cverol  eyes,  which  no\^  turned  on  him  to  trace  what  emotions 
the  danger  of  his  son  would  occasion.  But  their  scrutiny 
was  foiled.  By  no  outward  sign  did  he  show  what  was  passing 
within.  His  eye  still  retained  its  severe  expression,  his  brow 
the  slight  frown  which  it  usually  wore,  and  his  lips  its  haughty 
curl.  Immediately  on  reaching  the  deck,  he  had  or^^ered  a 
marine  to  hand  him  a  musket,  and  with  this  stepping  aft,  and 
getting  on  the  lookout-block,  he  raised  it  on  his  shoulder,  and 
took  a  deliberate  aim  at  his  son,  at  the  same  time  hailing 
him,  without  a  trumpet,  in  his  voice  of  thunder. 

"  Robert!"  cried  he,  "jump!  jump  overboard!  or  I  '11  fire 
at  you." 

The  boy  seemed  to  hesitate,  it  wa^  plain  that  he  was  totter- 
ing, for  his  arms  were  thrown  out  like  those  of  one  scarcely 
able  to  retain  his  balance.  The  commodore  raised  his  voice 
again,  and  in  a  quickoi  and  more  energetic  tone  cried, 

"  Jump!  't  is  your  only  chance  for  life.'* 

The  words  were  scarcely  out  of  his  mouth,  before  the  body 
was  seen  to  leave  the  truck  and  spring  out  into  the  air.  A 
sound,  between  a  shriek  and  groan,  burst  from  many  lips. 
The  father  spoke  not — sighed  not — indeed  he  did  not  seem  to 
breathe.  For  a  moment  of  intense  agony  a  pin  might  have 
been  heard  to  drop  on  deck.  With  a  rush  like  that  of  a  can- 
non ball,  the  body  descended  to  the  water,  and  before  the 
waves  closed  over  it,  twenty  stout  fellows,  among  them  several 
officers,  had  dived  from  the  bulwarks.  Another  short  period 
of  bitter  suspense  ensued.  It  rose — he  was  alive!  his  arms 
were  seen  to  move!  he  struck  out  towards  the  ship! — and  de- 
spite the  discipline  ol'  a  man-of-war,  three  loud  huzzas,  an  out- 
burst of  unfeigned  aujil  uiirestiaiiiable  joy  from  the  hearts  of 
our  crew  of  (ivc  liuiKircd  men,  pealed  through  the  air,  and 
made  the  welkin  nr.'^.  Till  this  moment,  the  old  commodore 
had  stood  unmoved.  The  eyes  that,  glistening  with  pleasure, 
now  sought  his  face,  .-^aw  that  it  was  ashy  pale.  He  attempt- 
ed to  descend  I  lie  hoist;-bIock,  but  his  knees  bent  under  him; 
ho  seemed  to  j?asp  lor  breath,  and  put  up  his  hand,  as  if  to 
tear  open  h\^  \<  st,  bvit  !>en>re  he;  accomplished  his  object,  he 
staggered  tbrwart',  and  would  have  fallen  on  the  deck,  had  he 
not  been  caught  by  old  HIack  Jake.  He  was  borne  into  his 
cauin,  where  the  surgeon  attended  him,  whose  utmost  jjkill 
was  required   to  restore  his  mind  to  its  luibility   and 

W5lf-conima"id,  in  which  he  at  last  happilv  siic:eeded.  As 
•€»on  ■*  hf    recovered  frorn  the  dreadful  shock-  he  sent  foj 


THt   FniGATE   CONSlITUTlON 


i4S 


Bob,  and  had  a  long  confidential  conference  with  him;  and  it 
was  noticed  when  the  little  fellow  let\  the  cabin  that  he  was  iu 
tears.  The  next  day  we  sent  down  our  taunt  and  d ashy  poles, 
and  replaced  them  with  the  stump-to^gitllnnt-masts;  and  oi 
the  third,  we  weighed  anchor,  and  made  sail  for  Gibraltar 


# 


sr-    » 


FRIGATE  CONSTITUTION, 

COMMONLY  CALLED  ''  OLD  IRONSIDES.*^ 

A»  over>  circumstance  relative  to  this  favorite  ship  ii  ex- 
Ireraely  interesting,  wo   propose  to  offer  a  brief  history  of 
her  splendid  and  glorious  career,   partly   from  official  docu- 
ments, and  partly  gleaned  from  old  newspapeis  of  the  day  . 
ih«  wai  huilt  in  Boiton,  at  Hart^s  ship  yard,  at  the  ■•rth^nd^ 


144 


THl    FRIGATE    CONSTITUTION. 


iituated  between  the  Winnisimmit  ferry-ways,  and  the  marino 
Railway,  and  was  launched  under  the  superintuidence  of 
Col.  Claghorn,  the  builder,  on  Saturday  the  21st  of  October, 
1797;  consequently  at  the  tim(5  of  her  entering  the  Dry  Dock, 
on  Monday  June  24th,  1833,  shd  was  nearly  thirty  six  years 
old.  In  Russell's  Commercial  Gazette  of  the  next  Monday 
after  the  launch  we  find  the  following  notice. 

"  The  Launch,— -»4  magnificent  Spectacle  ! — On  Saturday  last, 
at  fifteen  minutes  past  12,  the  frigate  CONSTlTUTiq>f  was 
launched  into  the  adjacent  element,  on  which  she  now  rides  an 
elegant  and  superb  specimen  of  American  Naval  Architecture, 
combining  the  unity  of  wisdom,  strength  and  beauty.  The  tide 
being  amply  full,  she  descended  into  the  bosom  0.'  the  ocean  with 
an  ease  and  dignity,  which,  while  it  afforded  the  most  exalted  and 
heart  felt  pleasure  and  satisfaction  to  the  many  thousand  spec- 
tators, was  the  guarantee  of  her  safety,  and  the  pledge,  that  no  oc- 
currence should  mar  the  joyous  sensations  that  every  one  experi- 
enced ;  and  which  burst  forth  in  reiterated  shouts,  which  "  rent  the 
welkin.**  On  a  signal  being  given  from  on  board,  her  ordinance, 
on  shore,  announced  to  the  neighboring  country,  that  the  CON- 
STITUTION WAS  SECURE.  Too  much  praise  cannot  be 
given  to  Col.  Claghorn,  for  the  coolness  and  regularity  display- 
ed in  the  whole  business  of  the  launch  ;  and  the  universal  con- 
gratulations he  received,  were  evidence  of  the  public  testimony  of 
his  skill,  intelligence,  and  circumspection."  ^  : 

The  severe  labor  that  attended  her  birth,  which  was  only 
effected  at  the  third  trial,  was  seized  upon  by  the  enemies  of 
a  navy,  who  at  that  time  were  numerous  and  powerful,  as  pro- 
phetic of  ill  luck!  With  how  little  reason,  her  brilliant  career 
has  fuily  deriionstrated.  We  may  safely  challenge  the  annals 
of  naval  history  to  name  the  ship  that  has  done  so  much  to 
fill  the  measure  of  her  country's  glory.  She  sailed  on  her 
first  cruise,  on  Sunday,  the  22d  of  July,  1798,  and  in  the 
Boston  Commercial  Gazette  of  the  next  morning  we  find  the 
following: —  ,     ... 

**  Yesterday  sailed  on  a  cruise  for  the  protection  of  our  commerce 
the  frigate  Constitution,  commanded  by  Capt.  Samuel  Nicholson 
This  noble  frigate  reflects  honor  on  all  concerned  in  her  construe 
tion  ; — on  the  agent  for  obtaining  every  material  of  the  best  kind 
for  ner  equipment,  and  for  having  the  same  manufactured  in  a 
superior  manner  ; — on  the  builder  for  the  execution  of  the  hull,  in 
a  style  demonstrating  our  capability  of  building  ships  of  war,  at 
least  equal  to  any  of  Europe.    The   Captain  is  a  brave  and  ex- 
perienced commander,  in  whom  may  be  reposed  perfect  confidence 
Her  Lieutenants  are  young  men,  who  have  conunanded  merchant 
•hipi  with  approbation*  and  of  whom  his  ezpectationi  maj  b«  •• 


■I 


i 


THB    PRIOATE    CONSTITUTIJN. 


145 


-V- 


terttined  Her  crew  arc,  with  very  few  excentionsj  native  sont 
ot  Mttseachusetts,  many  of  them  connected  by  tae  strongest  of  hu- 
man ties,  wioea  and  children.  Upwards  of  one  hundred  seamen 
have  given  orders  in  favor  of  their  families,  to  draw  monthly  hall 
of  their  pajT,  the  public  having  made  an  arrangement  for  this  pur 
pose,  evincive  of  its  paternal  care  and  encouragement  of  our  marine. 
It  would  seem  that  nothing  is  wanting,  to  render  this  ship  and  her 
erew  perfect,  but  that  experience,  which  can  only  result  from  ac- 
tual exercise  at  sea. " 

She  returned  from  this  cruise  about  the  middle  of  November. 
This  was  during  the  brief  war  with  the  French  republic.  We 
notice  the  appointment  of  Isaac  Hull,  as  her  4th  Lieutennnt, 
who,  after  the  lapse  of  fourteen  years,  was  fortunate  enough 
to  occupy  a  higher  station  on  her  quarter  deck,  when  the 
charm  of  British  invincibility  was  destined  forever  to  be 
broken.  On  the  28th  of  December  of  the  same  year,  she 
again  sailed  from  Boston  harbor,  on  her  second. cruise,  from 
which  she  returned  a  few  months  after,  without  having  had 
the  good  luck  to  fall  in  with  any  of  the  enemy's  national  ships. 
Less  fortunate  in  this  respect  than  the  Constellation^  under 
the  gallant  Truxton,  who,  about  this  time,  succeeded  in  cap- 
turing the  French  frigate  L'Insurgente,  40  guns  and  417  men. 
La  Yen/^eance,  a  large  French  national  ship  of  54  guns  and 
520  men,  likewise  struck  her  coir  but  was  fortunate  enough 
to  escape  in  a  squall,  and  arrived  at  Curacoa  five  days  after, 
a  complete  wreck. 

Shortly  after  this,  our  commerce  in  the  Mediterranean  hav- 
ing 8uft*ered  severely  from  the  depredations  and  insults  of  the 
Barbary  cruisers,  our  government  at  once  determined  on 
chastising  them.  In  May,  1803,  Com.  Edward  Preble  was 
appointed  to  the  command  of  this  favorite  ship,  and  in  June 
he  sailed  with  the  squadron  destined  to  act  against  Tripoli. 
To  all  conversant  with  this  scene  of  wu  ,  it  is  well  known  the 
Constitution  acted  a  conspicuous  part,  in  fact  bore  the  brunt 
of  the  battle.  After  the  destruction  of  the  Philadelphia,  of 
44  guns,  she  was  for  a  long  time  the  only  frigate  on  the 
station,  and  being  ably  seconded  by  the  gallant  iJecatur  and 
the  smaller  vessels,  did  more  in  a  single  year  to  humble  the 
pride  of  the  Barbary  States,  than  all  christendoln  ever  did 
before  or  since. 

In  short,  such  a  variety  of  service,  hair  breadth  ecttepes. 
hard  knocks,  and  perilous  adventure  has  never  been  achieved 
by  any  single  vessel      Peace  having  been  concludeik  witk 
Tripoli  ahe  soon  after  returned  home,  where  the  reiiuuil 
r%u  L  1 


\u 


mm   FEIGATB    CONSTlTUTIOlf 


ed  unemployed)  or  nearly  so,  till  the  commencement  of  Ihu 
late  war  with  Great  Britain.  This  was  on  the  18th  of  June 
1812.  On  the  12th  of  July  she  loft  the  Chesapeake  for  New 
York,  preparatory  to  a  long  cruise,  and  on  the  17th  discover- 
ed and  was  chased  by  a  Britisii  squuilidn,  consisting  of  the 
Africa  64,  Shannon  and  Giinrrierc  38,  Bclvidera  36,  and 
£olu8  32,  under  the  command  of  Com.  Broke  of  th<!  Shannoi. 
During  the  most  critical  period  of  the  chane,  when  the  nearem 
frigate,  the  Belvidera,  had  already  commenced  firing,  and  the 
Guerriere  was  training  her  guns  for  the  same  purpose,  the 
possibility  of  kedging  the  ship,  although  in  nearly  thirty  fath- 
oms of  water,  was  suggested  by  Lieutenant,  now  Com. 
Morris,  and  was  eagerly  adopted,  with  tho  mnsi  brilliant  suc- 
cess. The  enemy,  who  had  before  beer,  gaining,  was  now  im- 
perceptibly falling  astern,  without  their  being  able  to  conceive 
of  the  mysterious  manner  in  which  it  kvas  effected.  A  lucky 
mile  or  thereabouts  had  been  gained  in  this  way,  before  the 
discovery  was  made,  and  then  it  was  altogether  too  late  to 
avail  themselves  of  it,  with  any  probability  of  success;  a  pro- 
pitious breeze  springing  up  this  moment,  of  which  the  Con-  j 
stttution  felt  the  first  effects,  soon  increased  the  distance,  and* 
rendered  any  further  exertions  in  warping  and  towing  un- 
necessary . 

The  Shannon  had  for  some  hours  all  her  sails  completely 
furled — with  13  boats  towing  ahead.  The  Constitution  had 
three  boats  towing — the  remainder  being  engaged  in  carrying 
on  kedges,  while  the  crew  on  .board  found  sufficient  employ- 
ment in  warping  up  to  them;  and  to  this  most  fortunate  ex- 
pedient is  her  miraculous  escape  to  be  attributed.  She  bid  a 
final  adieu  to  her  kind  friends  on  the  1 9th,  after  a  close  chase  of 
nearly  three  days  and  three  nights,  and  arrived  safe  in  Boston 
on  the  26th  of  July. — This  has  always  been  considered,  and 
undoubtedly  was,  one  of  the  most  brilliant  exploits  that  oc- 
curred during  the  war.  The  deep  feeling — the  intense  anx  • 
iety  that  reigned  throughout  the  ship  during  this  long  arvi 
arduous  chase,  and  which  were  pictured  in  the  countenances 
of  all  on  board  in  characters  too  strong  to  be  mistaken — may 
be  imagined,  but  cannot  be  described.  Let  us  sup{'osc  for  a, 
moment,  it  had  been  the  destiny  of  this  fine  ship  to  h  ive  fallen 
thus  early  in  the  war,  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy — a  misfor 
tune  as  has  already  been  shown  which  was  only  escaped  as  it 
were  by  a  miracle — what  a  vast  difference  it  would  have  made 
at  the  close  of  the  war,  not  to  speak  of  the  great  moral  in- 
dvtoce  of  a  firit  victory,  in  the  profit  and  losi  of  our  nav«| 


•■■■,<•    •, 


THS    rRlOATl    CONSTITDTlOIf. 


141 


i 


i 


glory:  and  although  the  balance  would  still  have  been  great W 
upon  our  side,  yet  the  sum  total  would  have  been  very  sensi- 
bly or  nearly  one  half  diminished.  In  the  first  place  the  losfl 
of  so  fine  a  frigate  at  this  early  period  would  have  been  irre- 
parable, and  in  following  up  the  consequences — three  of  the 
most  splendid  victories  of  the  war,  together  with  the  same 
Dumker  of  hair  breadth  escapes  from  a  superior  enemy,  would 
now  have  to  be  deducted  from  the  aggregate  of  our  glory^ 
making  a  difference,  both  ways,  of  more  than  200  guns  and 
almost  1500  men.  ' 

Afler  remaining  a  few  days  in  port  she  sailed  again,  and  on 
the  19th  of  August  precisely  one  month  afler  her  escape — was 
lucky  enough  to  fall  in  with  one  of  the  same  frigates  cruising 
alone  and  with  her  name  emblazoned  in  large  characters  in 
her  foretop-sail.  Nothing  daunted  at  this,  however,  the  Con- 
stitution took  the  liberty  of  edging  down  for  the  purpose  of 
ascertaining  the  object  of  such  a  close  pursuit  a  few  weeks 
before. 

As  soon  as  the  two  ships  were  within  whispering  distance, 
an  explanation  commenced  which  afler  a  close  conference  of 
thirty  minutes,  ended  to  the  complete  satisfaction  of  Capt 
Hull.  She  proved  to  be  H.  B.  J\l.  frigate  Guerriere,  Capt 
Dacres,  of  49  guns  and  302  men,  and  had  been  totally  dis- 
masted and  in  other  respects  was  rendered  such  a  complete 
wreck,  that  getting  her  into  port  was  altogether  out  of  the 
question.  She  was  accordingly  burned,  and  the  Constitution 
returned  again  to  Boston,  where  she  arrived  on  the  30th  of 
August.  Never  shall  we  forget  the  enthusiasm  with  which 
she  was  received. 

The  news  arrived  in  town  during  divine  service  on  Sunday 
morning,  and  the  crowds  that  flocked  to  State  Street  to  hear 
the  particulars  of  such  a  glorious  victory,  and  the  shouts  that , 
rent  the  air,  fully  evinced  the  deep  interest  that  was  felt  by 
every  class  of  the  community. 

The  ship  had  anchored  in  President  roads  about  five  miles 
from  t)wn,  and  in  the  aflernoon  the  harbor  was  alive  with 
pleasure  boats,  anxious  to  take  a  closer  view  of  Old  Ironsides, 
and  to  exchange  congratulations  with  her  gallant  crew.  We, 
among  hundreds  of  others,  sailed  round  her  several  times,  en- 
deavoring in  vain  to  trace  the  effects  of  an  engagement  with 
a  British  frigate  ofneaily  equal  force,  that  had  occurred  only 
eleven  days  before,  and  in  which  her  antagonist  was  entirely 
demolished  in  the  short  space  of  half  an  hour.  We  could 
bftrdljr  believe  our  own  eyes— no  serious  damage  wkateTer 


tf 


TBI   FRIGATE    CONgTIt  UTION 


i 


Tisible;  now  and  then  a  place  or  two  were  pointed  ou* 
where  a  splinter  had  been  driven  off,  but  on  the  whole  flhe 
appeared  in  almost  as  perfect  order  as  when  she  leA  the  har- 
bor only  about  three  weeks  before;  indeed  it  seemed  to  us 
that  like  Shadrach,  Meshech  aud  Abednegu,  she  had  passed 
the  fiery  ordeal  entirely  unscathed.  This  was  indeed  a  new 
■tate  of  things,  and  served  not  a  little  to  increase  the  ho|>e 
and  confidence  of  the  friends  of  our  gallant  navy  throughout 
the  Union. 

Capt.  Hull,  being  now  called  upon,  if  we  remember  right, 
to  attend  to  the  affairs  of  a  deceased  brother — gave  up  the 
command  of  the  ship  to  Capt.  William  Bainbridge,  who,  with 
the  same  crew,  shortly  afler  sailed  on  another  cruise  to  South 
America — the  sloop  of  war  Hornet,  Capt.  I^awrence,  also 
under  his  command,  from  whom  however  he  was  soon  afler 
separated.  On  the  29th  of  December  of  the  same  year, 
while  cruising  about  10  leagues  from  the  coast  of  Brazil  she 
fell  in  with,  and  afler  a  close  engagement  of  nearly  two  hours 
captured,  H.  B.  M.  ship  Java,  of  49  guns  and  upwards  of 
400  men — Capt.  Lambert  being  mortally  wounded  during  the 
engagement.  In  addition  to  her  full  r»-ew,  the  Java  had  up- 
wards of  one  hundred  supernumeraries  on  board — officers  and 
seamen — to  join  the  British  ships  of  war  on  the  East  India 
station.  Besides  these  there  were  a  number  of  land  officers; 
among  the  rest  Lieut.  Gen.  Hislop,  Major  Walker  and  Capt. 
Wood. 

This  was  one  of  the  best  contested  battles  that  was  fought 
during  the  war — the  Java  indeed  only  struck  her  flag,  when 
every  mast,  bow-sprit  and  all  had,  one  afler  another,  gone  by 
the  board.  Com.  Bainbridge,  in  his  official  account,  says — 
"  The  great  distance,  from  our  own  coast,  and  the  perfect 
wreck  we  made  of  the  enemy's  frigate,  forbade  every  idea  of 
attempting  to  take  her  to  the  United  States.  I  had  therefore 
no  alternative  lefl  but  burning  her,  which  I  did  on  the  31st  of 
December,  afler  receiving  all  the  prisoners  and  their  bag- 
gage, which  was  very  hard  work,  only  having  one  boat  Jeil 
out  of  eight,  and  not  one  iefl  on  board  the  Java."  Afler 
blowing  her  up,  the  Constitution  returnee  io  Boston,  where 
•he  arrived  on  the  18th  of  February,  1813. 

Well  do  we  remember  being  at  the  Federal  Street  Theatre, 
when  the  news  of  this  victory  was  announced  from  the  stage 
by  the  manager,  Mr.  Powell;  and  shortly  afler,  when  the  gal- 
lant Commodore,  together  with  some  of  his  officers  appeared 
in  one  of  th«  boxei,  the  whole  house  resounded  for  Bianf 


mi  rniOATK  constitution 


148 


' 


minutes  with  the  cheering  of  the  audience.  The  veteran 
Cooper,  then  in  the  prime  of  life,  was  in  the  second  act  of 
Macbeth,  and  P.lihough  he  stood  a  little  behind  the  scenes, 
entirely  forgetting  the  gracious  Duncan  he  had  murdered,  we 
saw  him  swing  his  cap  round  with  as  much  enthusiasm  as 
any  one. 

In  Juno  1813,  Capt.  Charles  Stewart  was  appointed  to  her 
command,  and  on  the  30lh  of  December,  she  proceeded  to  sea, 
notwithstanding  Boston  was  then  blockaded  by  seven  ships  of 
war,  and  safely  run  the  gauntlet  through  the  whole  of  them 
She  returned  on  the  4th  of  April  1814,  and  was  chased  into 
Marblehead  by  two  of  the  enemy's  heavy  frigates.  La  Nympho 
and  Junon. 

About  the  middle  of  December  1814,  she  proceeded  on  her 
second  cruise  under  Capt.  Stewart,  and  on  the  :28th  of  Feb. 
off  Madeira,  fell  in  with  and  after  a  severe  action  of  40  min- 
utes, succeeded  in  capturing  H.  B.  M.  ships  Cyane  of  34, 
and  Levant  of  21  guns,  and  325  men  A  more  perfect  speci- 
men of  nautical  skill  was  probably  never  witnessed,  than  was 
exhibited  throughout  the  whole  of  this  memorable  battle. 
The  advantages  of  a  divided  force,  or  as  the  boys  call  it,  of 
two  upon  one,  are  well  known  to  all,  particularly  to  men  of 
naval  science.  A  raking  fire  is  nhnost  always  very  sure  to  be 
decisive  of  the  fate  of  a  battle;  A\d  to  have  avoided  this  from 
either  of  her  opponents,  and  with  a  leading  breeze  too,  is  in- 
deed miraculous,  especially  when  we  recollect  that  the  Con- 
stitution succeeded  in  raking  both  of  her  antagonists  more 
than  once  during  the  engagement. 

After  taking  possession  of  her  prizes,  the  three  ships  made 
sail  for  the  Cape  de  Verd  Islands,  and  on  the  10th  of  March 
came  to  anchor  in  the  harbor  of  Port  Praya,  in  the  island  of 
St.  Jago.  Two  days  after  this,  a  squadron  of  the  enemy 
hove,  in  sight,  consisting  of  the  Newcastle  and  Leander,  of 
50  guns  each,  and  the  Acasta  frigate  of  40,  the  whole  under 
the  command  of  Sir  George  Collier,  and  in  7  minutes  after 
the  discovery  was  made,  the  Constitution  with  her  twc  nrizes 
had  cut  their  cables',  and  were  under  way,  being  at  this  time 
only  about  gun  shot  to  windward  of  the  enemy.  The  Levant 
was  recaptured.  The  Cyane  had  the  good  fortune  to  escape 
and  now  forms  a  part  of  our  Navy.  The  Constitution  con- 
tinued her  cruise,  and  shortly  after  returned  to  Boston,  where 
she  was  for  the  third  time  received  with  every  possible  de- 
monstration of  joy  and  exultation.  The  last  news  from  her 
bad  been  brought  by  the  Cyane,  arrived  at  New  York,  whea 


mmmm 


150 


THI    PRIGAT5    CONSTITUTION. 


Ihp  above  squadron  was  lefl  <n  chase,  and  she  had  heard  « 
neavy  cannonading  ''^^ortly  atter  losing  sight  of  her,  so  that 
the  most  intense  anxiety  had  for  some  time  been  entertained 
for  her  safety.  -  , 

Peace  had  now  been  proclaih^ed,  and  to  have  lost  this  noble 
vessel  and  her  gallant  crew  at  'nis  late  hour,  and  afler  such  s 
catalogue  of  glorious  services  too,  would  have  cast  a  gloom 
over  the  whole  country. 

No  wonder  then  that  her  safe  arrival,  afler  so  many 
"  moving  accidents  by  fiood  and  field;"  and  after  having  es- 
caped so  many  perils  of  "  the  waters,  winds  and  rocks" — 
should  be  greeted  with  such  universal  enthusiasm.  Capt 
Stewart  not  only  received  the  thanks  of  Congress,  but  of  al- 
most every  state  ''^gialature  then  in  session,  and  from  many 
quarters  soai«;  more  substantial  marks  of  approbation. 

Afler  this,  the  old  Ironsides  was  taken  to  the  Navy  Yard 
and  immediately  dismantled, — where  she  remained  unemploy- 
ed, we  believe  with  a  single  exception  till  the  spring  of  1825, 
when  she  was  again  fitted  out  and  sailed  u"der  the  command 
of  Capt.  Daniel  T,  Patterson  to  join  the  squadron  in  the 
Mediterranean.  She  remained  there  about  three  years,  aftei 
which  she  returned  again  to  the  United  States,  and  as  if  to 
add  one  more  to  the  many  instances  of  good  luck  that  have 
always  attended  her — she  was  so  fortunate  as  to  arrive  and 
fire  a  federal  salute  in  her  native  city,  during  the  celebration 
of  the  4th  of  July,  IS'SS,  and  contributed  not  a  little,  as  well 
by  her  beautiful  appeal  ance  as  by  the  delightful  associations 
that  were  ever  uppermost  in  the  presence  of  such  a  glorious 
vcdsel,  to  heighten  the  splendor  and  add  a  zest  to  the  festiv- 
ities of  the  day. 

We  have  now  we  believe  hriePy  touched  upon  most  of  the 
leading  incidents  in  the  eventful  history  of  this  favorite  ship; 
doubtless  there  are  many  others  well  worth  recording,  but 
which  can  be  onK  known  to  those  who  at  the  time  of  their 
occurrence  were  on  board  of  her.  We  have  never  been  able 
to  find  any  but  very  unsatisfactory  accounts  of  her  operations 
before  Tripoli,  and  the  other  Barbary  States.  A  complete 
and  impartial  history  of  the  movements  of  our  several  squad- 
rons in  those  seas  from  .1803  to  the  present  moment,  would 
not  only  prove  extremely  interesting,  but  as  a  matter  of  re- 
cord would  be  invaluable. — We  sincerely  hope  some  com- 
petent pCiBon  may  be  found  who  is  willing  w  undertake  it. 

About  twelve  years  since  the  Constitution  was  hove  out  and 
fomplMeij  examined  at  the  Navy  Yard  at  CbarleitowCi  wh«i 


TBI   FRIGATE    CONSTITUTION 


15' 


es- 


^er  timbers,  fitc.  were  found  to  be  in  remarkable  good  order, 
a  fact  which,  after  twenty  five  years  wear  and  tear  and  hard 
service,  redounds  not  a  iittle  to  tho  credit  of  the  old  fashioned 
mechanics  of  Boston. 

In  her  actions  with  the  Guer  iere  and  Java  she  mounted 
54  guns,  and  62  when  engaged  with  the  Cyane  and  Levant, 
her  armament  being  30  long  24  pounders  on  the  main  deck 
and  24  32  pound  carronades  on  the  upper  deck. — Her  loss  in 
the  action  with  the  Guerriere  was  killed  and  wounded,  14; 
with  the  Java,  34;  auu  with  the  Cyane  and  Levant,  14  more 
— total  62  The  Gurriere's  loss,  killed,  wounded  and  miss- 
ing, was  103;  the  Java's  161;  Cyane's  38;  Levant's  39 — 
total  341,  or  in  the  proportion  of  five  and  a  half  to  one.  The 
prisoners  were  nearly  one  thousand.  ,     \ 

The  docking  of  **  Old  Ironsides"  was  a  scene  of  the  most 
lively  interest,  and  excited  the  most  general  feeling.  On 
the  morning  of  the  24th  of  June,  1833,  a  very  large  concourse 
of  spectators  assembled  at  an  early  hour  at  the  Navy  Yard, 
Charlestown,  awaiting  with  anxious  expectation  the  scene  so 
well  calculated  to  awaken  retrospections  productive  of  the 
most  agreeable  association  of  occurrences  connected  with  the 
history  of  the  Navy  of  the  United  States. 

At  dawn  of  day,  Capt.  Smith,  the  executive  officer  of  the 
Yard,  proceeded  with  the  splendid  barge,  prepared  expressly 
for  the  occasion,  and  manned  with  sixteen  seamen,  all  clad 
in  a  new  and  beautiful  uniform  of  blue  cotton  fabric,  the 
growth  of  the  South,  and  the  manufacture  of  the  East,  to  tho 
Boston  side  of  the  river  to  receive  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  the  Secretaries  of  the  Navy  and  War,  and  others  of 
the  President's  suite,  the  Governor  of  Massachusetts,  Lieut 
enant  Governor  and  their  suite.  On  thfjir  embarkation  the 
National  and  State  flags  were  hoisted  and  continued  to  wave 
in  harmony  and  pride  until  the  barge  passed  through  the  arch 
extending  from  the  United  States  74,  Columbus,  to  the  shear 
head,  and  decorated  with  the  flags  of  all  nations,  and  entered 
the  basin  at  the  Navy  Yard.  On  the  arrival  of  the  barge,  it 
being  made  known  that  the  Presid.  nt  was  not  in  the  company, 
but  was  detained  at  his  lodgings  in  Boston  by  reason  of  ill 
health,  a  general  expression  of  disappointment  was  depicted 
on  every  countenance. 

The  corps  of  marines  who  appeared  in  their  usual  splendor 
and  were  under  the  command  of  Lieut.  Col.  Freeman,  receiv' 
ed  the  distinguished  visitors  with  the  highest  military  honors, 
and  conducted  them  on  board  the  Constitution,  where  they 


I' 


TBI   FRIGATE    CONSTITUTION. 


vere  reeeived  by  Commodore  Hull,  to  whom  the  commaad  of 
the  vegsel  had  been  politely  given  by  Commodore  Elliot,  as 
we  presume  in  consideration  of  his  honorable  connection  with 
i>er  history.  By  Commodore  Hull  the  visitors  were  then  in- 
troduced to  the  officers  who  had  served  on  board  the  favorite 
ship  in  her  successful  engagemer:f£,  and  when  this  ceremony 
was  finished,  the  bread  pennant  was  lowered,  and  its  place 
taken  by  the  American  ensign,  under  a  salute  of  heavy  can- 
non. Com.  Hull,  with  trumpet  in  hand,  then  gave  orders  to 
open  the  gates  of  the  Dock,  which  was  immediately  and  suc- 
C'sssfi  Ty  done,  and  the  gallant  ship  floated  proudly  and  safely 
into  her  granite  cradle  amid  the  roar  of  cannon,  and  the  pro- 
longed shouts  of  the  spectators,  to  the  national  tune  of ''  Yan- 
kee Doodle,"  and  was  shut  out  from  the  ocean  on  which  she 
had  been  borne  for  the  last  thirty  years,  gaining  glory  for  the 
country  and  the  country's  sons,  and  winning  for  herself  that 
place  in  the  heart  of  every  American,  which  renders  her  al-< 
most  a  nation's  idol.  The  steam  engine  was  then  set  to  work, 
and  at  1  o'clock  P.  M.  the  water  was  all  discharged  by  the 
pumps,  and  the  ship  properly  secured,  without  an  accident  of 
any  kind. 

Before  the  company  lef\  the  frigate  a  ceremony  of  a  highly 
interesting  character  took  place  in  the  presentation  of  three 
canes,  which  Com.  Elliot  had  caused  to  be  made  of  the  live 
oak,  a  part  of  the  original  frame  of  the  Constitution.  These 
canes  were  presented  by  Com.  Hull,  through  the  hands  of  a 
charming  boy,  George  Washington  Elliot,  to  Mr.  Van  Buren, 
for  the  President  of  the  United  States,  as  the  firm  supporter 
of  the  Constitution;  to  the  Governor  of  Massachusetts  as  the 
Representative  of  the  State  in  which  the  ship  was  built,  and 
to  Mr.  Poinsett  of  S.  C,  as  the  Representative  of  the  State 
where  the  live  oak  grew  of  which  she  was  built 


y 


•OLD  IRONSIDES." 

Ay  !  pull  her  tattered  ensign  down, 

Long  has  it  waved  on  high, 
And  many  a  heart  has  danced  to  see 

That  banner  in  the  sky; 
Beneath  it  rung  the  battle  shout, 

And  burst  the  cannon's  roar — 
The  meteor  of  the  ocean  air 

9hall  sweep  the  clouds  no  mort. 


BftlTlSU    SHIP   HIBURNIA. 

Her  deck,  once  red  with  heroes'  bloodi 

Where  knelt  the  vanquished  foe, 
When  winds  were  hurrying  o'er  the  flood 

And  waves  were  white  below, 
No  more  shall  feel  the  conoueror's  tread 

Or  know  the  conauered  Icnee  ; 
The  harpies  of  the  snore  shall  pluck 

The  eagle  of  the  sea  t 

Ob  better  that  her  shattered  hulk 

Should  sink  beneath  the  wave  ; 
Her  thunders  shook  the  mighty  deep 

And  there  should  be  her  grave. 
Nail  to  the  mast  her  holy  flag. 

Set  every  threadbare  sail, 
And  give  her  to  the  god  of  storms — 

The  lightning  and  the  gale  t 


•v;       ,  ."»*.■ 


BRITISH  SHIP  HIBERNIA. 


The  Hibernia  sailed  from  Liverpool  in  Dec.  1832,  bound 
to  Van  Dieman's  Land,  with  two  hundred  and  thirty-two  em- 
igrants. On  the  5th  of  Feb.  in  lat.  4.  40  south,  Ion.  20.  30, 
at  1 1  A.  M.  the  second  mate  went  to  the  store-room  to  draw 
off  some  sp'rits,  and  was  premring  to  return  on  deck,  when 
by  some  riieans  he  stumbled,  the  lighted  candle  fell  into 

the  bucket  of  spirits  which  immtuiately  ignited  and  dreadfulljr 
burnt  the  mate,  who,  in  his  confusion  /erturned  the  bucket, 
and  thus  the  burning  liqu'd  was  spread  all  over  ^he  store- 
room, and  communicated  the  flames  to  several  cask»  of  spirit! 
in  the  said  roofti.  The  flames  spread  so  fast,  in  spite  o'  every 
eflbrt  to  prevent  them,  that  at  one  P.  M.  all  h  >pe  of  saitoff 
the  ship  and  property  was  abandoned.  The  niaster  orderea 
the  boats  to  be  hoisted  out ;  but  the  Are  had  increased  so 
much  that  only  a  small  quantity  of  provisions  could  <  got  at. 
The  boats,  being  crowded  with  people,  shove  '  from  »he 
ship's  side.  The  master  would  not  leave  the  snip,  but  con- 
tinued his  exertions  until  the  flan  es  were  coming  through  tlM» 
batchvays,  when  he  and  the  first  mate  threw  themieWea  orer 


"Ti??"'''"^ 


154 


■miTltU    SHir   UI3ERNIA 


board)  and  shortly  afier  the  fire  reached  the  rigging  and 
spread  from  mast  to  mat^t.  The  boats  had  dropped  astern  for 
the  purpose  of  saving  as  many  Hves  as  possible,  and  among 
those  picked  up  were  the  master  and  first  mate,  quite  exhaust- 
ed by  their  great  exertions  to  get  the  fire  under,  fieing  load- 
ed almost  to  sinking,  the  boats  now  lefl  the  ship;  containing 
— the  long  boat,  fifty-three  persons,  pinnace,  seventeen,  ana 
jolly-boat,  ten.  It  was  resolved  that  the  master  should  take 
charge  of  the  long-boat,  the  first  mate  of  the  pinnace,  and  the 
boatswain  of  the  jolly-boat,  and  proceed  to  Pernan  Suco 
Two  compasses  had  been  saved,  as  also  the  captain's  chro- 
nom.eter,  sextant,  and  a  iew  charts,  and  the  mate's  quadrant, 
iiaved  by  the  cabin  boy.  At  five  F.  M.  they  left  the  wreck, 
which  was  burned  almost  to  the  water's  edge.  Numbers  of 
unfortunates  had  in  despair  climbed  the  bowsprit,  and  othei 
parts  of  the  ship  where  the  fire  had  not  ye!  reached;  the  scene 
was  shocking  and  heart-rending,  from  the  impossibility  of  giv- 
ing them  any  assistance. 

The  boats  left  with  scarcely  sufficient  provisions  to  keep 
those  in  taem  alive,  and  damaged  likewise  by  the  salt  water. 
Some  fresh  water  had  also  been  saved,  but  this  was  carried 
off  by  the  pinnace,  which  deserted  her  companion  in  the  most 
shameful  manner.  The  first  mate  and  a  cabin  passenger, 
called  Atkinson,  \»y  the  blame  of  the  proceeding  to  each 
other;  each  sayiv.g  the  other  proposed  to  him  to  leave  the 
long-boat  to  her  fate..  The  jolly-boat  had  previously  sepa- 
rated from  her  consorts. 

The  long-boat  had  made  but  little  progress  on  the  10th  of 
Feb.  by  which  time  all  in  her  were  so  debilitated  from  fatigue 
and  thirst,  that  they  lost  ail  hope.  The  boat,  too,  was  leaky 
and  required  eight  men  to  be  constantly  bailing  her.  A 
highly  respectable  gentleman  (Mr.  Ridley)  died  of  exhaustion 
land  want  of  nourishment. 

On  the  1 1th  th^  descried  a  sail,  which  they  made  repeated 
signals  to.  These,  however,  would  not  have  been  perceived, 
had  it  not  fortunately  happened  that  i  man  Was  at  the  mast 
head  putting  up  a  vane.  At  half  past  6  P.  M.  they  were  re- 
ceived  on  board  the  Sotus,  which  immediately  changed  her 
course  for  Rio  Janeiro;  and  the  unfortunates  were  treated, 
during  the  passage,  with  every  kindness  and  attention.  Ten 
minutes  after  being  alongside,  the  boat  sunk. 

They  arrived  at  Rio  Janeiro  on  the  20th  of  Feb.  llnd  the 
laabella,  from  the  Mediterranean,  arrived  on  the  21st,  with 
tke  cr«w  ci^  the  pinnace,  who    scarcely  (at      aat  ■onM  of 


aii^ 


imflfejfr  ^>jiiWni 


MUTINY   OF   THlfi    SHIP   fiOUNTT. 


i$6 


thenij)  deserved  such  good  luck.     The  juUy-boat  wus  still 
unheard  of;  so  that  of 232  persons  only  69  escaped. 

Several  of  the  sufferers  by  this  lamentable  conflagration, 
irere  respectable  people  who  were  taking  out  their  all. 


■  i"  ■«  ft  . 


V  .  VJ.   .- 


■ 

'tt^^^^^I 

^H 

^BB^^''~   _^^^     ^ci^-"" -,/,•:•>  r-. 

/"^^^liNi 

21 

LJH^^^^^^  !^^^k/^^^-^^hfeaj^^^^^H 

%^;,^ive 


THK   BREAD-raUIT   TSKK 

"  ''-       '^'-  "  /. "     '  '      >1  -    >-  -       ■  .     -  -    ,     '.  l' 

MUTINY  OF  THE  SHIP  BOUNTY.     " 

■  The  irierchants  and  planters  of  the  West  India  islands,  hav- 
ing represented  to  his  majesty  that  an  essential  benefit  might 
be  derived  by  introducing  the  bread-fruity  an  article  of  food 
for  the  inhabitantsof  those  islands,  his  majesty  was  graciously 
pleased  to  direct  the  board  of  Admiralty  to  equip  a  ship  for 
this  purpose.  Accordingly  one  proper  for  such  a  voyage  was 
purchased,  and  fitted  up  in  a  most  commodious  manner  to  re- 
the  plants.  She  was  named  the  Bounty,  her  burden 
'itbout  two  hundred  and  fifleen  tons,  and  the  command  con- 
ferred on  Lieutenant  W.  Bligh,  who  had  sailed  as  master  with 
Cant.  James  Cook,  on  his  voyage  of  discoveries.  The  whole 
crew  consisted  of  forty-six 

On  the  4th  of  November,  i787,  the  Bounty  arrived  at  Spit- 
\tmiiy  vid  OB  the  24th  of  the  same  monthi  Mr.  Bligh  receivvdl 


'.. 


M 


MVTIIIT  or   THE    SUIP   BOCltTf. 


his  final  orders  from  the  Admiralty,  which  were  tc  proceed 
round  Cape  Horn  to  the  Society  islands,  there  to  take  on 
board  as  many  of  the  bread-fruit  tr^es  and  plants  as  may  be 
thought  necessary,  from  thence  to  proceed  through  Endeavor 
Straights,  to  Prince's  Island  on  the  Straights  of  Sunda,  or  if 
it  should  be  more  convenient,  to  pass  on  the  eastern  side  of 
Java,  to  some  port  on  the  north  side  of  that  island,  where  any 
bread-fruit  trees  which  may  have  been  mjured,  or  have  died, 
may  be  replaced  by  mangosteens,  duriens,  and  other  fruit 
trees  of  that  quarter,  as  well  as  the  rice  plant  which  grows 
upon  dry  land.  From  Prince's  Island,  or  the  island  of  Java, 
to  return  by  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope  to  the  West  Indies,  and 
deposite  one  half  of  the  trees  and  plants  at  his  Majesty'<» 
Botanical  garden  at  St.  Vincent,  for  the  benefit  of  the  Wind- 
ward Islands;  then  to  go  oti  to  Jamaica,  and  having  deliver- 
ed the  remainder  to  Mr.  East,  or  such  other  persons  as  may 
be  authorized  by  the  governor  and  council  to  receive  them, 
to  refresh  the  people  and  return  to  England. 

As  the  season  might  be  too  far  advanced  for  effecting  a 
passage  round  Cape  Horn,  the  Admiralty  gave  Mr.  Bligh 
discretional  orders  in  this  case,  to  go  round  the  Cape  of 
Good  Hope. 

On  the  2dd  of  December,  the  Bounty  sailed  from  Spithead. 
On  the  6th  of  January,  1788,  she  anchored  in  Santa  Cruz 
road,  on  the  island  of  Teneriff.  On  the  10th,  having  taken  on 
board  wine  and  other  refreshments,  Mr.  Bligh  proceeded  on 
his  voyage.  On  the  20th  of  March  the  coast  of  Terra  del 
Fuego  was  discovered  ;  from  this  time  they  began  to  experi- 
ence very  tempestuous  weather,  the  winds  in  general  blowing 
with  great  violence  from  the  westward,  attended  with  fre- 
quent snow  and  hail-storms.  Mr.  Bligh  struggled  with  great 
perseverance  against  these  troubles  for  thirty  days;  and  then 
came  to  the  resolution  of  bearing  away  for  the  Cape  of  Good 
Hope,  where  he  arrived  on  the  23d  of  May.  While  at  the 
Cape  Mr.  Bligh  procured  such  plants  and  seeds  as  he  thought 
would  be  valuable  at  Otaheite,  or  any  other  place  at  which 
he  might  stop.  On  the  1st  of  July  he  sailed  from  the  Cape, 
and  shaped  his  course  for  New  Holland;  the  southern  pro- 
montory of  which  he  made  on  the  19th  of  August  The  next 
day  he  anchored  in  Adventure  Bay:  here  the  ship  was  refit- 
ted; the  only  fresh  water  to  be  procured  was  what  had  lodg- 
ed in  deep  pits  and  gullies  afler  the  rainy  season:  it  waa 
found  perfectly  sweet  and  good. 


»\  ■ 


IflTTINT  OP   THE    SHIP    BOUNTY 


151 


This  part  of  the  coast  of  New  Holland  abounds  in  large 
forest-trees,  some  running  to  the  height  of  one  hundred  and 
fifly  feet,  one  in  particular  which  was  seen  by  the  Bounty's 
people,  measured  thirty-two  feet  in  girth.  The  wood  of  these 
trees  is  in  general  rirm,  but  of  too  heavy  and  solid  a  nature 
for  masts,  though  it  might  answer  oxtrenioiy  well  !'or  ship- 
building. On  the  trunk  of  a  decayed  tree  was  observed  to 
iiave  been  uut  with  a  knife,  the  letters,  "  A.  D.  1773,"  which 
is  supposed  to  have  been  done  by  some  of  Capt.  Furneaux's 
people  who  were  at  this  place  in  the  March  of  that  year. 

The  natives  who  were  seen,  were  perfectly  naked,  extreme- 
ly wild,  but  inoffensive.  Mr,  Bligh  held  out  every  friendly 
encouragement  to  have  an  intercourse  with  them,  but  without 
effect. 

Previous  to  their  leaving  Adver.ure  Bay,  Mr.  Nelson,  the 
botanist,  planted  some  apple  and  other  fruit  trees,  and  sowed 
various  kinds  of  seeds.  On  the  4th  of  September  they  sailed 
from  hence,  and  steering  to  the  S.  E.  arrived  on  the  26th  of 
October  in  Matavai  Bay,  in  the  isla.id  of  Otaheite. 

Mr.  Bligh  immediately  set  about  executing  the  object  of 
his  voyage;  for  which  purpose  the  botanists  were  sent  on 
shore,  in  search  of,  and  t :  collect  the  bread-fruit  plants,  in 
which  they  found  no  difficulty,  receiving  every  assistance 
from  the  natives,  with  whom  the  ^rost'est  friendship  and  in- 
timacy subsisted  during  their  continuance  at  this  island.    - 

On  the  3 1st  of  March,  1789,  having  collected  as  many  of  the 
trees  and  plants  as  could  be  conveniently  stowed,  they  were 
taken  on  board  to  the  number  of  one  thousand  and  fifteen, 
contained  in  seven  hundred  and  seventy-four  pots,  thirty-nine 
tubs,  and  twenty-six  boxes;  besides  several  other  plants  of 
various  descriptions.  The  Bounty  being  now  ready  for  sea, 
Mr,  Bligh  made  the  farewell  presents  to  his  friends,  many  of 
whom  expressed  a  great  desire  to  accompany  him  to  England, 
and  shewed  evident  signs  of  regret  at  their  departure 

On  the  1th  of  April,  they  took  a  last  and  affectionate  leave 
of  their  hospitable  Otaheiten  friends,  and  put  to  sea;  pursuing 
nearly  the  same  tract  to  the  Friendly  Islands  with  former 
navigators;  on  the  morning  of  the  10th,  an  island  and  several 
small  keys  near  it  were  discovered;  the  island  had  a  most 
beautiful  appearance,  it  was  covered  with  cocoa  nut  and  other 
trees,  interspersed  with  beautiful  lawns.  .The  next  day  ■ 
cance  came  off  with  some  of  the  natives,  who  were  extremely 
familiar,  and  spoke  a  similar  language  to  those  of  Otaheitt 


16$ 


MUTIIfT   or   TRt    tHtr    DOUMTf. 


rhejT  said  the  island  was  Wytootackee.     Its  circumferenef 
is  about  ten  miles;  lat.  18.  50,  south,  Ion.  200.  19,  east. 

On  leaving  this  island,  they  proceeded  for  the  Friendly 
Islands,  and  on  the  23d  anchored  at  Annamooka;  at  this  placs 
Mr.  Bligh  saw  an  old  man,  who  he  remembered  when  he  was 
here  with  Capt.  Cook,  in  the  year  1777,  from  whom  he  learnt 
that  se  «reral  of  the  cattle  which  had  been  then  leil  were  still 
alive  and  had  bred.  Mc-  Bligh  had  also  the  satisfaction  to 
see  that  most  of  the  seeds  which  had  been  sown  at  that  time 
had  succeeded,  especially  the  pines,  of  which  fruit  the  natives 
were  very  fond. 

On  the  27th,  having  completed  taking  on  board  wood  and 
water,  and  procured  some  bread-fruit  plants  to  replace  those 
which  were  dead  or  sickly,  they  sailed  from  Annamooka. 

A  scene  as  unexpected  as  deplorable  was  now  about  to  pre- 
sent itself,  which  rendered  the  object  of  the  voyage,  after  all 
Mr.  Bligh's  exertions,  ineffectual.  • 

This  individual's  bearing  towards  his  officers  and  crew 
as  it  was  afterwards  proved,  had  never  been  of  the  most  gen- 
tle or  conciliating  kind;  indeed,  he  had  frequently  indulged  in 
the  coarsest  and  most  brutal  language  towards  them,  and  his 
acts  were  often  oppressive  in  the  extreme.  In  the  afternoon 
of  the  27th,  Lieut.  Bligh  came  upon  deck,  and  missing  some 
of  the  cocoa  nuts  which  had  been  piled  up  between  the  guns, 
i^aid  they  had  been  stolen,  and  could  not  have  been  taken 
away  without  the  knowledge  of  the  officers,  all  of  whom  were 
sent  for  and  questioned  on  the  subject.  On  their  declaring 
that  they  had  not  seen  any  of  the  people  touch  them,  he  ex- 
claimed, '*Then  you  must  have  taken  th^^n  yourselves;" 
and  proceeded  to  inquire  of  them  separately  how  many  they 
had  purchased.  On  coming  to  Mr.  Christian,  that  gentle- 
man answered,  "  I  do  not  know,  sir ;  but  I  hope  you  do  not 
think  me  so  mean  as  to  be  guilty  of  stealing  yours."     Mr 

Bligh  answered,  "  yes,  you  d d  hound,  I  do — you  must 

have  stolen  them  from  me,  or  you  would  be  able  to  give  & 
better  account  of  them;"  then  turning  to  the  other  officers,  he 
said,  "  God  d — n  you,  you  cccundrels,  you  are  all  thieves 
alike  and  combine  with  the  men  to  rob  me:  I  suppose  you  will 
■teal  my  yams  next;  but  I'll  sweat  you  for  it,  you  rascals— 
I'll  make  half  of  you  jump  overboard  before  you  get  through 
Endeavor  Straits."  This  threat  was  followed  by  an  order  to 
the  clerk  "  to  stop  the  villains'  grog,  and  give  them  but  halt  a 
pound  of  yams  to-morrow;  if  they  steal  them,  I'll  reduce  thcns 
to  a  quarter." 


lIlMIl  illl«|l,.i««»l 


awtMWi 


MUTINT   or  THE   SHIP   BOUIfTT 


t5t 


On  the  moirning  of  tho  28th  of  April,  juft  beforta  .^^un-rise 
Mr.  Chrietian,  one  of  the  mates,  (who  had  for  some  time  been 
intrusted  with  the  charge  of  the  third  watch),  accompanied  by 
the  master  at  arms,  gunner's  mate,  and  Thomrid  Burkett,  a 
teaman,  entered  Mr.  Bligh's  cabin  whue  he  was  asleep,  and 
seizing  him,  bound  his  hands  behind  his  back,  at  the  same 
time  threatening  instant  death  if  he  resisted  or  made  the  least 
noise.  Not  intimidated  by  their  threats,  Mr.  Bligh  resolutely 
called  for  assistance,  but  the  mutineers  had  taken  care,  pre- 
viously, to  secure  all  those  who  were  not  concerned  in  their 
diabolical  scheme.  They  then  pulled  him  irom  his  bed,  and 
forced  him  upon  deck,  with  nothing  on  hiim  but  his  shirty 
where  a  guard  was  placed  over  him.  The  boatswain  was 
ordered  to  hoist  the  launch  out,  which  being  done,  Mr.  Hay> 
ward  and  Mr.  Hallet,  midshipmen,  Mr.  Samuel,  the  clerk, 
with  some  others,  were  directed  to  go  into  her.  Mr.  Bligh 
frequently  remonstrated  with  his  people  on  the  impropriety 
and  violence  of  their  proceedings,  and  endeavored  to  persuade 
them  to  return  to  their  duty  ;  but  all  his  efforts  proved  ineffe^ 
tual  :*the  only  reply  he  could  obtain  was,  ''hold  your  tongue 
sir  or  you  are  dead  this  instant.'' 

The  officers  who  were  confined  below,  were  next  called  upon 
deck  and  forced  into  the  boat.  The  mutineers  were  some 
time  undecided  whether  they  should  detain  the  carpenter  or 
his  rn&ie  ;  at  length,  afler  much  altercation,  it  was  determined 
that  the  carpenter  should  go  into  the  boat ;  and  it  was  not 
without  much  opposition  that  they  permitted  him  to  take  his 
tool-chest  with  him.  Upon  which  some  of  them  swore,  that 
"  he  (meaning  Mr.  Bligh)  would  find  his  way  home  if  he  gets 
any  thing  with  him,  and  that  he  would  have  a  vessel  built  in 
less  than  a  month."  While  others  turned  their  miserable  situ- 
ation into  ridicule,  little  expecting,  from  the  boat  being  so 
deep  and  crowded,  that  she  could  lonf^  keep  the  sea.  All 
those  now  being  in  the  boat  who  were  intended  to  accompany 
their  unfortunate  commander,  Christian  addressed  him,  saying, 
— "  Come,  Capt.  Bligh,  your  officers  and  men  are  now  in  the 
ooat,  and  you  must  go  with  them  ;  if  you  attempt  to  make  the 
least  resistance  you  will  instantly  be  put  to  death.''  He  was 
then  forced  over  the  side,  and  his  hands  unbound.  When 
they  were  putting  him  out  of  tho  ship,  Mr.  Bligh  looked  sted- 
fastly  at  Christian,  and  asked  him,  if  his  treatment  waa  a  propet 
return  for  the  many  instances  he  had  received  of  his  friendship  r 
At  this  question  he  seemed  confused,  and  answered  with  much 

emotion, — "  That,   Capt.  Bligh, that  is  the  thing  ;— I 

am  in  hell — I  am  in  hell." 


160 


MOTIRT   OF   TBI   SHIP   BOUNTY. 


^1' 


n 


The  boat  was  veered  antern,  and  soon  after  cast  adrift, 
amidst  the  ridicule  and  scofik  of  these  deluded  and  unthinking 
men,  whose  general  shout  was,  ''  huzza  foi*  Otaheite."  The 
armorer  and  carpenter's  mate  called  on  Mr.  Bligh,  and  beg- 
ged him  to  remember  that  they  had  no  hand  in  the  transac* 
tion,  and  some  others  seemed  to  express  by  their  manner  a 
contrition  for  having  joined  in  the  mutiny. 

As  no  complaints  had  been  made  or  dissatisfaction  shown, 
Mr.  Bligh  was  at  a  loss  how  to  account  for  this  sudden  and 
unexpected  change  in  the  disposition  of  his  people  ;  unless  it 
rose  from  the  temptations  held  out  to  them  by  the  chiefs  of 
Otaheite,  who  were  much  attached  to  the  English,  and  allur- 
ed them  by  promises  of  large  possessions  if  they  would  remain 
behind  ;  this,  in  addition  to  the  connexion  which  they  had  form- 
ed with  the  women,  whom  Mr.  Bligh  describes  as  handsome, 
mild  and  cheerful  in  their  manners  and  conversation  ;  possess- 
ed of  great  sensibility,  and  having  sufficient  delicacy  to  make 
them  admired  and  beloved. 

Although  these  were  perhaps  among  the  inducements  which 
led  to  the  mutiny,  there  is  no  doubt  but  that  Bligh's  intempe- 
rate language  and  insulting  demeanor  were  the  chief  causes 
of  ihe  unhappy  deed.  It  is  pretty  evident,  that  the  mutiny 
waii  not,  as  Bligh  in  his  narrative  stated  it  to  have  been,  the 
result  of  a  conspiracy.  It  appears  from  the  minutes  of  the 
couriVmartial,  which  was  afterwards  instituted,  that  the  whole 
aftair  waa  planned  and  executed  between  the  hours  of  four 
and  e'lght  on  the  morning  of  the  28th  of  April,  when  Chris- 
tian had  the  watch  upon  deck  ;  that  Christian,  unable  longer 
to  beai'  the  abusive  language,  had  meditated  his  own  escape 
from  the  ship  the  dtiy  before,  choosing  to  trust  himself  to  fate 
rather  than  submit  to  the  constant  upbraiding  to  which  he  had 
been  subject ;  but  the  unfortunate  business  of  the  cocoa  nuts 
drove  him  to  the  commission  of  the  rash  and  felonious  act 
which  ended,  as  such  criminal  acts  usually  do,  in  his  own  de- 
struction and  that  of  a  great  number  of  others,  many  of  whom 
were  wholly  innocent 

The  following  persons  were  those  turned  adrift  with  Mr 

Bligh  in  the  boat. 


John  Fryer,  master.   . 

Thos.  Ledwood,  acting  sur- 
geon ;  he  was  never  heard 
of  after  Mr.  Bligh  left  Ba- 
tevia. 


T.  Hay  ward, 
J.  Hallet, 

John  Norton,  quarter-master , 
killed  by  the  natives  at  To« 


iijj uilJithBfa 


■nmiT  or  thb  ibip  bovhtt. 


1€1 


D.  Nelson,  botaniit ;  died  at  P.  Linkletter,  quartor-maiter  ; 

Batavia.  died  at  Batavia. 

Wm.  Peckover,  gunner.  L.  Lebo^ue,  sail  maker 

Wm.  Cole,  boatswain.  John  Smith,  cook. 

Wm.  Purcill,  carpenter.  Thos.  Hall,  ditto  ;  died  at  Bm- 

Wm.  Elphilstone,  master's  tavia. 

mate  ;  died  at  Batavia  Robert  Tinkler,  boy 


There  remained  in  the  Bounty 

Fletcher  Christian,  master's  Thos.  M'Intosh,  of  carpenter's 

mato  crew 

P.  Hey  wood,  ^  C.  Ohurchill,  master  at  arms. 

E.  Toung,       >  midshipmen.  Joseph  Coleman,  armorer 

6.  Stewart,     )  Wm.    Brown,  gardener  ;   and 

J.  Mills,  gunner's  mate.  14  able  seamen 

Before  the  boat  was  cast  off,  Mr.  Bligh  begged  that  some 
arms  might  be  handed  into  her  ;  but  these  unfeeling  wretches 
laughed  at  him,  and  said  '^  he  was  well  acquainted  with  the 
people  among  whom  he  was  going,  and  therefore  did  not 
want  them."  They,  however,  threw  four  cutlasses  into  the 
boat. 

Their  whole  stock  of  provisions  consisted  of  one  hundred 
and  fifty  pounds  of  bread,  sixteen  pieces  of  pork,  six  quarts  of 
rum,  with  twenty-eight  gallons  of  water  ;  there  were  also  four 
empty  barrocoes  in  the  boat.  The  boatswain  had  been  allow- 
ed to  collect  a  small  quantity  of  twine,  some  canvass,  lines,  and 
cordage.  Mr.  Samuel,  the  clerk,  had  been  also  permitted  to 
take  a  quadrant  and  compass  ;  but  he  was  forbidden  on  pain 
of  death  to  touch  either  chart,  ephemeris,  book  of  astronom- 
ical observations,  sextant,  time-keeper,  or  any  of  the  surveys 
or  drawings  which  Mr.  Bligh  had  been  collecting  for  fifteen 
years.  Mr.  Samuel  had  the  good  fortune  to  secure  Mr. 
Bligh's  journal  and  commission,  with  some  other  material 
ship's  papers. 

At  the  time  the  boat  left  the  ship  they  were  about  ten 
leagues  from  Tosoa.  Mr.  Bligh's  first  determination  was  to 
steer  for  this  place,  to  seek  a  supply  of  bread-fruit  and  water, 
from  thence  to  Tongataboo,  and  there  to  solicit  the  king  to 
sufier  him  to  equip  the  boat,  and  grant  them  such  a  supply  of 
water  and  provisions,  as  might  enable  them  to  reach  the  East 
Indies.  Arriving  at  Tosoa,  they  found  the  natives  unfriendly 
and  hostile  ;  and  availing  themselves  of  the  defenceless  stats 


V-.,- 


MUTIIIT   or   THE   SHIP   BOURTT. 


I      f 


of  the  English,  attacked  them  violently  with  stoneS)  lo  that 
the  supply  they  got  here  was  very  scanty.  It  was  indeed  with 
some  ditllculty  tlioy  t^ncapcd  bein^  entirely  cut  off  by  the  na^ 
kives  ;  which  most  probably  would  have  been  the  case,  had 
not  one  of  the  crew  (John  Norton)  resolutely  jumped  on 
shore  and  cast  off  the  stern-fast  of  the  boat  ;  this  brave  fel- 
low fell  a  sacrifice  to  preserve  the  lives  of  his  companions ; 
he  was  sui  rounded  and  mhumanly  murdered  by  these  savages 

The  reception  they  met  at  Tosoa,  gave  them  little  encou'* 
agement  to  touch  at  Tongataboo  ;  as  it  was  evident  that  itix. 
former  good  behavior  of  these  people  proceeded  more  from 
the   dread   of  fire   arms,    than   a  natural   disposition   to   be 
friendly. 

It  now  seemed  the  general  wish  of  all  in  the  boat,  that  Mr 
Bligh  should  conduct  them  towards  home.  He  pointed  out  to 
them  that  no  hopes  of  relief  remained,  excepting  what  might 
be  found  at  New  Holland,  or  the  island  of  Timor,  which  was 
at  the  distance  of  full  one  thousand  and  two  hundred  leagues  ; 
and  that  it  would  require  the  greatest  economy  to  be  observ- 
ed, with  regard  to  the  scanty  allowance  which  they  had  to 
live  upon  for  so  long  a  voyage.  It  was  therefore  agreed  by 
the  whole  crew,  that  only  an  ounce  of  bread,  and  a  quarter  of 
a  pint  of  water  should  be  issued  to  each  person  per  day.  Af- 
ter Mr.  Bligh^had  recommended  to  them  in  the  most  solemn 
manner  not  to  depart  from  the  promise  they  had  made  ;  he  on 
the  2d  of  May  bore  away,  and  shaped  his  course  for  New 
Holland,  across  a  sea  little  explored,  in  a  boat  only  twenty- 
three  feet  in  length,  six  feet  nine  inches  in  breadth,  and  two 
feet  nine  inches  deep,  with  eighteen  persons  on  board,  and 
heavy  laden.  The  next  day  they  encountered  a  violent  store., 
the  boat  shipped  such  a  quantity  of  water,  that  it  was  by  great 
exertions  and  with  the  utmost  difficulty  she  could  be  kept  afloat. 
The  day  following  it  moderated.  On  the  5th,  they  saw  and 
passed  a  cluster  of  islands,  continuing  their  course  to  the  north* 
west.  Hitherto  they  had  not  been  able  to  keep  any  other  ac> 
count  than  by  guess  ;  but  had  now  succeeded  in  getting  a  log- 
line  marked,  and  by  a  little  practice,  some  could  count  the 
seconds  with  a  tolerable  degree  of  exactness.  The  miserable 
and  confined  s/ate  in  which  they  were,  induced  Mr  Bligh  to 
put  his  crew  to  watch  and  watch,  so  that  one  half  migr»l  be  on 
the  look  out,  while  the  others  lay  down  in  the  boat's  bottom,  or 
upon  a  chest ;  even  this  gave  but  a  trifling  alleviation  to  theit 
sufferings ;  being  exposed  to  constant  wet  and  cold,  and  not 
having  room  to  stretch  their  limbs,  they  became  oflen  to  dr««dl^ 
AiUj  orampedy  m  to  k«  inoapable  of  moving  them. 


MVTIfIT  oy  TBI  IB  IP  BOUITTT. 


I<S 


On  the  7th,  another  group  of  islands  was  seen,  from  whence 
they  observed  two  large  canoes  in  pursuit  of  thetn,.  one  of 
which  at  four  o'clock  in  the  aflernoou,  had  arrived  witisin  two 
miles  of  the  boat,  when  she  gave  over  the  chase  and  returned 
in  shore.  Mr.  Bligh  imagined  from  their  direction  and  vicin- 
ity to  the^  Friendly  Islands  these  must  have  been  the  Fegoe 
Islands. 

On  the  8th,  the  weather  was  moderate  and  fair,  which  gave 
them  an  opportunity  to  dry  their  clothes,  and  clean  out  the 
boat.  Mr.  filigh  also  a'nused  the  people,  by  relating  to  them 
a  description  of  New  Guinea  and  New  Holland,  with  every 
information  in  his  power,  that  in  case  any  accident  happened 
to  him,  the  survivor  might  he  able  to  pursue  their  course  to 
Timor  j  which  place  they  before  knew  nothing  of  except  by 
name. 

On  the  10th,  the  weather  again  began  to  be  extremely 
boisterous,  with  constant  rain  and  frequent  thunder  and  light- 
ning ;  the  sea  was  so  rough,  as  oflen  to  break  over  the  boat  ; 
so  that  they  were  forever  baling,  and  ol'ten  in  imminent  danger 
of  perishing  ;  in  addition  to  their  misfortunes,  the  bread  was 
damaged  by  the  salt  water  ;  their  clothes  never  being  dry, 
they  derived  no  refreshment  from  the  little  rest  they  sometimes 
got ;  and  many  were  so  benumbed  and  cramped  by  the  cold, 
that  they  were  afflicted  with  violent  shivcrings  and  pains  in 
the  bowels.  As  the  weather  still  continued  tempestuous,  Mr. 
Bligh,  as  an  expedient,  recommended  to  every  one  to  strip,  and 
wring  their  clothes  in  the  salt-water,  which  had  a  good  effect, 
and  produced  a  warmth,  that  while  wet  with  the  rain  they 
could  not  have. 

On  the  14th  they  saw  a  nuiTiber  of  islands,  which  appeared  ' 
to  be  a  new  discovery,  but  a^  they  lie  so  near  the  New  Heb- 
rides, they  may  be  considered  as  a  part  of  that  gr(»np.  Their 
latitude  from  13  deg.  U*»  min.  to  14  deg.  south,  longitude  UC 
deg.  67  min.  17  min.  to  168  deg.  34  min.  east  from  Greenwich  ; 
\c  these  they  gave  the  name  of  Blights  Islands. 

On  the  24th  it  was  thought  necessary  to  reduce  their  already 
miserable  pittance  ;  it  was  accordingly  agreed  that  each  per- 
son should  receive  one  25th  part  of  a  pound  of  bread  for 
breakfast,  and  the  same  quantity  for  dinner  ;  so  that  by  omit- 
ting the  allowance  for  supper,  they  would  have  forty-three 
days  provisions. 

The  next  day  they  saw  several  noddies  and  other  sea  fowl, 
■ome  of  which  they  were  so  fortunate  as  to  catch,  and  served 
tli«iD  out  M  a  part  pf  the  allowance.    Th«  light  of  tho  birda 


■r 


164 


HVTINT  or  TBI  IHIT  BOUHTT. 


i- 


7 


indicated  their  being  in  the  neighborhood  of  lejid.  The 
weather  wa9  now  more  serene  ;  but  even  this  became  disti  ess- 
to  them  ;  the  heat  of  the  sun  was  so  intense,  that  many 

the  people  were  seized  with  a  languor  and  faintness,  which 
made  life  mdifierent.  At  one  in  the  morning  on  the  29th, 
breakers  were  discovered  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  distant 
under  their  Ice  ;  they  immediately  hauled  off  and  were  soon 
out  ol*  danger.  At  daylight,  they  again  stood  in  and  discover* 
ed  ths  reef,  over  which  the  sea  broke  furiously.  Steering 
along  the  edge  of  it,  an  opening  was  soon  observed,  through 
whicli  the  boat  passed  ;  a  small  island  which  lay  within  the  reef 
of  a  moderate  height,  Mr.  Bligh  named  Island  of  Direction,  as 
it  8f3rves  to  show  the  entrance  of  the  channel ;  its  latitude  is 
12  deg.  51  min.  south.  As  they  advanced  within  the  reef, 
he  coast  of  i?ew  Holland  begun  to  show  itself  distinctly  — 
They  landed  in  a  fine  sandy  bay  on  an  island  near  the  main  : 
here  they  found  plenty  of  oysters,  water,  and  berries,  which  to 
men  in  their  deplorable  condition  were  looked  upon  as  luxuries 
After  a  more  coF>fortable  repose  than  they  had  experienced  for 
many  nights,  they  were  preparing  the  next  day  to  depart,  when 
about  twenty  natives  made  their  f  ppearance  on  the  opposite 
•here,  running  and  hallooing,  at  the  same  time  making  signs 
to  land.  Each  was  armed  with  a  spear  or  lance ;  several 
others  were  seen  peeping  over  the  tops  of  the  adjacent  hills. 
Mr.  Bligh  finding  that  he  was  discovered,  judged  it  most  pru-' 
dent  to  make  the  best  of  his  'vay  to  sec .  He  named  the  is- 
land on  which  they  landed  Restoration  Island  ;  as  it  was  not 
only  applicable  to  their  own  siti^ation,  but  the  anniversary  of 
King  Charleses  Restoration  when  it  was  discovered ;  its  ob- 
served latitude  12  deg.  39  min.  south. 

As  the  boat  sailed  alon?  the  phore,  many  other  parties  of  the 
natives  came  down,  waving  green  'uoughs  as  a  token  of  friend- 
ship ;  but  Mr.  Bligh,  suspicious  of  their  intentions  would  not 
venture  to  land.  These  people  wer&  naked,  with  black  and 
wcclly  hair. 

On  the  31r>t  they  landed  on  a  small  island,  in  order  to  get  a 
difitinct  view  of  the  coi&st ;  from  thence,  aiter  mnking  a  hearty 
meal  c<i  oysters,  they  again  put  to  sea,  steering  along  the 
ihore,  often  touching  at  the  different  islands  and  keys  to  re- 
fresh themselves,  and  get  s*ach  supplies  a9  th^y  afforded.  Oo 
he  3d  of  Ji:w)e,  they  had  passed  through  Endeavor  Straits, 
9k6  were  once  ciore  launched  into  the  open  ocean,  shaping 
kk^ir  couree  for  the  island  of  Timor,  which  they  were  enoour* 
9§94  to  Mfwft  they  naigbt  reach  m  ei||bt  or  ton  dn/**    ^ 


'SSSa^ 


~   /    . 


MITTmY  or  TBK    IHIP  BOVlfTT 


16A 


tinuance  of  wet  and  teinpeatiious  wrathor,  affected  even  the 
ptoutest  among  them  to  such  a  degree,  from  incessant  fatigue, 
that  many  showed  evideiU  signs  of  approaching  dissolution. 
Mr.  Bligh  used  every  effort  to  reviv*^  tlieir  drooping  spirits, 
and  comforted  them  with  a  hope  that  iiiey  would  soon  arrive 
at  a  port  where  their  distresses  would  he  relieved. 

At  three  o'clock  in  the  mornin«j;,  on  the  12th  of  June,  to 
their  inexpressible  joy,  the  island  of  Timor  was  discovered  ; 
and  on  the  14th  they  arrived  at  the  Dutch  settlement  of  Gou- 
pung.  Nothing  could  exceed  the  friendly  and  hospitable  re- 
ception they  met  with  from  the  governor,  Mr.  Van  Este,  who 
was  lying  almost  at  the  point  of  death  ;  he  regretted  thut  his 
infirmity  should  prevent  him  from  officiating  as  a  friend  him- 
self, but  assured  Mr.  Bligh  that  he  would  give  such  orders, 
as  should  procure  him  and  his  follow  sufferers  every  assistance 
in  his  power  ;  he  accordingly  committed  them  to  the  care  of 
Mr.  VVanjen,  his  son-in-law,  who,  with  the  other  principal 
persons  of  Coupang,  rendered  their  situation  comfortable  du- 
ring the  time  they  staid  among  them. 

Mr.  Bligh  presented  the  governor  a  formal  account  of  the 
loss  of  the  ship  Bounty  ;  and  a  requisition  in  his  Majesty's 
name,  that  instructions  might  be  sent  to  all  the  Dutch  settle- 
ments, to  stop  the  ship  if  she  should  touch  at  any  of  thenc  ; 
with  a  list  and  description  of  ihe  mutineers.  '' " 

A  short  time  afler  their  arrival  at  Coupang,  by  the  humane 
and  kind  attention  of  the  Dutch  inhabitants,  they  had  so  much 
recovered  their  health,  and  strength,  that  Mr.  Bligh  purchas- 
ed a  schooner  for  one  thousand  rix  dollars,  to  convey  them  to 
Batavia  before  the  October  fleet  should  sail  for  Europe.  This 
vessel  was  named  the  Resource  ;  end  by  the  assistance  and 
friendship  of  JMr.  Wanjen,  (to  whose  liberal  and  hospitable 
treatment  they  were  all  much  indebted),  Mr.  Bligh  was  able 
to  procure  four  brass  swivels,  fourteen  stand  of  arms,  and 
some  ammunition,  which  was  necessary  to  protect  them  against 
ihe  pirates  who  infest  the  coast  of  Java. 

On  the  20th  of  July,  Mr.  David  Nelson,  the  botanist,  died 
of  an  inflammatory  fever  ;  he  was  a  man  much  respected,  and 
of  great  scientific  knowledge.  This  was  his  second  voyage  to 
the  South  Seas  in  the  capacity  of  botanist. 

The  schooner  being  ready  for  sea,  on  the  .30th  August  Mr. 
Bligh  and  his  crew  took  an  affectionate  leave  of  their  bene- 
factors, and  sailed  from  Coupang,  with  the  launch  that  had 
preserved  their  lives,  in  tow. 

On  the  lit  of  October  they  arrived  in  Batara  road     TIm 


^!? 


''I     • 
III 


IM 


MUTINY  OP   THE   8HI1*   BOUlfTT. 


next  day  Mr.  Bligh  \va«  tnlun  so  cxtremoly  ill,  that  he  wai 
obliged  to  be  moved  into  the  country.  Shortly  after  the 
Dutch  Hargeon-gcn(TaI  represented  to  hitn  that  his  complaint 
was  of  such  a  nature,  that  unless  he  quitted  the  air  of  Bata- 
via,  it  might  prove  fatal.  In  consequence  of  this,  Mr.  Bligh 
applied  to  the  goverror-general  for  permission  to  return  to 
Europe  hy  the  fleet  which  was  on  the  point  of  sailing;  which 
being  granted,  he  took  liis  passage  on  board  a  Dutch  packet, 
and  sailed  from  Batavia  on  the  16th  of  October,  1789;  the 
governor  promising  him  that  the  remainder  of  his  crew  s^iould 
be  sent  home  by  the  earliest  opportunity.  On  the  14th  of 
March,  1790,  he  arrived  in  England.  Out  of  the  nineteen 
who  were  in  the  boat  when  she  left  the  ship,  only  twelve  lived 
to  return  to  their  native  country.  *      - 

The  tide  of  ;3ublic  applause  set  as  strongly  in  favor  of  Bligh, 
on  account  of  his  sufferings  and  the  successful  issue  of  his  dar- 
ing enterprise,  as  its  indignation  was  launched  against  Chris- 
tian and  his  associates,  for  the  audacious  and  criminal  deed  they 
had  committed.  Bligh  was  promoted  by  the  Admiralty  to  the 
rank  of  commander,  and  speedily  sent  out  a  second  time  to 
transport  the  bread-frui*  to  the  West  Indies,  which  he  without 
the  least  obstruction,  successfully  accomplished  ;  and  his  ma- 
jesty's government  was  no  sooner  made  acquainted  with  the 
atrocious  act  of  piracy  and  mutiny,  fhan  it  determined  to  adopt 
every  possible  means  to  apprehend  and  bring  to  condign  pun- 
ishment the  perpetrators  of  so  foul  a  deed.  For  this  purpose, 
the  Pandora  frigate  of  twenty-four  guns,  and  one  hundred  and 
sixty  men,  was  despatched,  under  the  command  of  Captain 
Edward  Edwerds,  with  orders  to  proceed  in  the  first  instance 
to  Otaheite,  and,  not  finding  the  mutineers  there,  to  visit  the 
different  groups  of  the  Society  and  Friendly  Islands,  and 
others  in  the  neighboring  parts  of  the  Pacific,  using  his  best 
endeavors  to  seize  and  bring  home  in  confinement  the  whole  or 
8uch  part  of  the  delinquents   as  he  might  be  able  to  discover. 

This  voyage  was  in  the  sequel  almost  as  disastrous  as  that 
of  the  ship  Bounty,  hut  from  a  different  cause.  The  waste  of 
human  ife  was  much  greater,  occasioned  by  the  wreck  of  the 
ship,  in  returning  ;  and  the  distress  experienced  by  the  cre^ 
was  not  much  less,  owing  to  the  famine  and  thirst  they  hau  .o 
sufter  in  a  navigation  of  eleven  hundred  miles  in  open  boa.u  \ 
but  the  captain  succeeded  in  fulfilling  a  part  of  his  instructions, 
by  taking  fourteen  of  the  mutineers,  of  whom  ten  were  brouehi 
■afe  to  England,  the  other  four  being  drowned  when  the  snip 
WM  wr«ck«d.     Soon  after  their  arrival,  a  court-tnartiaJ  aasetu 


BSiypBC 


MOTilfT  Ot  TMt  IBir  BOUNTt. 


161 


bled  to  try  the  prisoners,  on  board  his  inajeszy's  ship  Duke,  on 
the  i2th  of  September,  1792.  Against  seven  of  the  ten  the 
charges  of  mutiny  were  proved,  and  they  were  adjudged 
worthy  of  death  ;  two  of  them,  however,  Peter  Hey  wood  and 
James  Morrison  were  earnesiiy  recomiiiended  by  th<;  court  to 
his  majesty's  mercy,  and  tiicy  were  jjardoncd  accordingly. 
Heywood,  who  at  the  lime  of  ihe  mutiny  was  but  sixteen 
years  of  age,  was  very  honorably  ano  fully  acquitted  in  public 
opinion  of  any  participation  in  liio  deeds,  and  he  afterwards 
lose  to  distinction,  without  any  invidious  suspicion  being  at- 
tached to  him.  He  died  in  the  year  IB.'il ,  leaving  behind  him 
a  high  and  unblemished  character  in  that  service  of  which  he 
was  a  most  honorable,  intelligent,  and  disiinguished  member 
The  remaining  nve  of  the  convicts  were  hung  puMuant  to 
sentence  > 


Twenty  years  had  passed  away,  and  the  Bounty,  and 
Fletcher  Christian,  and  the  piratical  crew  that  he  had  carried 
off  with  him  in  that  ship,  had  long  ceased  to  occiipy  a  thought  in 
the  public  mind.  It  happened,  however,  that  an  accidental  dis- 
covery, as  interesting  as  it  was  wholly  unexpected,  was  brought 
to  light  in  consequence  of  an  American  trading  vessel  having, 
by  mere  chance,  app**oached  one  of  these  numerous  islands  in 
the  Pacific,  against  whose  steep  and  iron-bound  shore  the  surf 
almost  everlastingly  rolls  with  such  tremendous  violence  as  to 
bid  defiance  to  any  attempts  of  boats  to  land,  except  at  parti- 
cular times  and  in  very  few  places. 

Captain  f^olger,  of  the  American  brig  Topaz  of  Boston,  in 
September,  1808,  landed  on  Pitcairn's  Island  in  latitude  '25 
2  south,  lonfiitude  130  west,  where  he  found  an  Englishman, 
of  the  name  of  Alexander  Smith,  the  only  person  remaining  of 
nine  that  had  escaped  in  the  Bounty.  Smith  related  that, 
after  putting  Capt.  Bligh  in  the  boat,  Christian  took  command 
of  the  ship  and  went  to  Otaheite,  where  many  of  the  crew  left 
her,  except  Christian,  Smith,  and  seven  others,  who  eacli  took 
wives,  and  six  Otaheitan  men-servants,  and  shortly  after  ar- 
rived at  Pitcairn's  Island,  where  they  ran  the  ship  ashore  and 
broke  her  up  ;  this  event  took  place  in  the  year  1790. 

About  four  y^ars  after  their  arrival  (a  great  jealousy  exist- 
ing), the  Otaheitans  secretly  revolted,  and  killed  every  Eng- 
lishman except  Smith,  whom  they  .severely  wounded  in  the 
neck  with  a  pistol  ball.  The  same  night,  the  widows  of  tha 
deceased  Englishmen  arose  and  put  to  death  the  whole  of  the 


/    H 


168 


MUTINY   OF   TH«    SITTF   BO0NTt. 


It 


: 


^ 


:\-^  I 


tl. 


Otaheitans,  leaving  Smith  the  only  man  alive  upon  the  island, 
with  eight  or  nine  women  and  several  children.  On  his  re- 
covery, he  apphed  himself  to  tilling  the  ground,  so  that  it 
now  produced  plenty  of  yams,  cocoa-nuts,  bananas,  plant- 
ain, hogs  and  poultry  in  abundance.  There  were  some 
ffrown-up  men  and  women,  children  of  the  mutineers,  on  th« 
island,  the  whole  population  amounting  to  about  thirty-five, 
who  acknowledged  Smith  as  father  and  commander  of  them 
all ;  they  all  spoke  English,  and  had  been  educated  by  him 
in  a  moral  and  religious  way. 

It  was  asserted  by  the  second  mate  of  the  Topaz,  that  Chris- 
tian, the  ringleader,  became  insane  shortly  afler  taking  up  his 
abode  on  the  island,  and  threw  himself  off  the  rocks  into  the 
sea.  It  is  clear  enough  that  this  misguided  and  ill-fated  young 
man  was  never  happy  after  the  rash  and  criminal  step  he  had 
taken.  He  was  always  sullen  and  morose,  and  committed  so 
many  acts  of  wanton  oppression  as  very  soon  incurred  the 
hatred  of  his  companions.  According  to  the  account  of  Smith, 
or  as  he  was  usually  called,  John  Adams,  the  cause  of  Chris- 
tian's death  was  his  having  forcibly  seized  on  the  wife  of  one 
cf  the  Otaheite  men,  which  so  exasperated  the  rest  that  they  not 
only  sought  the  life  of  the  offender,  but  of  others  also  who 
might;  as  they  thought,  be  disposed  to  pursue  the  same  course 
The  manner  of  Christian's  death  still  remains  uncertain  ;  cer- 
tain it  is,  that  however  far  he  might  escape  from  the  reach  of 
jclstice  there  was  no  escaping  from 

"Those  rods  of  sccrpions  and  those  whips  of  steel 
Which  conscience  shakes." 

Pitcairn's  Island  was  visited  in  1814  by  his  majesty's  frig- 
ates, the  Briton  and  the  Tagus,  by  which  the  account  of  Cap- 
tain Folger  was  con6rmed.  From  the  time  of  this  visit 
nothing  more  was  heard  of  Adams  and  his  family  for  nearly 
twelve  years,  when,  in  1825,  Captain  Beechey,  in  the  Blos- 
som, bound  on  a  voyage  of  discovery,  touched  at  Pitcairn's  Is- 
land. He  found  the  descendants  of  the  mutineers  increased 
to  sixty-six  ;  the  females  were  modest,  handsome,  and  plea- 
sing, and  the  males  added  a  wonderful  degree  of  strength  and 
agility  to  a  beautiful  symmetry  of  form.  Adams  had  intro- 
duced into  his  little  society,  the  most  salutary  laws  and  regu- 
lations, which  he  had  drawn  from  the  bible,  and  seemed  desi- 
rous to  atone  for  his  past  misconduct  by  training  trp  the  rising 
generation  in  piety  and  virtue.  The  death  of  this  old  patriarch 
took  place  in  March,  1829,  and  he  was  sincerely  lamented  b^ 


£: 


HAEIUTITi   0>   CAfTAlIf    LlMCOL.t. 


\9§ 


the  inftnt  colonj.  It  has  recently  been  stated  in  the  nowspa- 
pel  8,  that  owing  to  a  deficieno/  of  water  at  Pitcairn's  Island, 
the  descendants  of  the  mutineers  had  ail  emigrated  to  Ota- 
heite  :  but  there  being  disgusti^d  with  the  dissolute  and  immor- 
al behavior  of  the  islanders,  thay  had  returned  to  the  place  of 
their  birth  to  escape  the  contaminntion  of  vice  and  intempcr- 


^- 


NARRATIVE  OF  CAPTAIN    LINCOLN, 

Who  was  taken  by  the  Piratet,  off  Cape  Crm^  Dee.  17,  1'831,  and 
$tUnequently  left^  with  hii  crew^  to  perish  on  a  desolate  island. 


I  have  reluctantly  yielded  to  the  urgent  solicitations  of 
friends,  to  give  a  short  narrative  of  the  capture,  sufTerings  and 
escape  of  myself  and  crew,  afler  having  been  taken  by  a  pi- 
ratical schooner,  called  the  Mexican,  December,  1821.  The 
peculiar  circumstances  attending  our  situation,  gave  us  ample 
opportunity  for  learning  the  character  of  those  cruisers  which 
have  lately  infested  our  southern  coasts,  destroying  the  lives 
and  plundering  the  property  of  so  many  peaceable  traders.  If 
this  narrative  should  effect  any  good,  or  urge  our  government 
to  still  more  vigorous  measures  for  the  protection  of  our  com- 
merce, my  object  will  be  attained. 

I  sailed  from  Boston  bound  for  Trinidad,  in  the  Island  of 
Cuba,  on  the  13th  November,  1821,  in  the  schooner  Exertion, 
burden  one  hundred  and  seven  tons,  owned  by  Me3..rs.  Joseph 
Ballister  and  Henry  Farnam,  with  a  crew  consisting  of  the 
following  persons : — 


Joshua  Bracket, 

mate, 

Bristol, 

David  Warren, 

cook. 

Saco, 

Thomas  Goodall, 

seaman, 

Baltimore, 

Thomas  Yojng, 

(t 

Orangetown, 

Francis  de  Suze, 

St.  John'f, 

jQeorge  Reed, 

Greenock,  Scotland 

▼•L.   1. 


•I 


^ 


:  . 


V 


t. 


itO 


HAAftATtVi    O^    CATTAIIf    MltOOLH 


The  cargo  consisted  of  flour,  beef,  pork,  lard,  outter,  fith 
beans,  onions,  potatoes,  apples,  hams,  furniture,  sugar  box 
■hooks,  &c.  invoiced  at  about  eight  thousand  dollars.  Nothins 
remarkable  occurred  during  the  passage,  except  much  bad 
weather,  until  my  capture,  which  was  as  follows  : — 

Monday,  December,  Hth,  18!21, — commenced  with  fme 
breezes  from  the  eastward.  At  daybreak  saw  some  of  the 
islands  northward  of  Cape  Cruz,  called  keys — stood  along 
lorthwest  ;  every  thing  now  seemed  favourable  for  a  happy 
rcrmina  ion  of  our  voyage.  At  three  o'clock,  P.  M.  saw  a 
sail  con.ing  round  the  Keys,  into  a  channel  called  Boca  de 
Cavolone  b/  the  chart,  nearly  in  latitude  20,  55,  north,  lon- 
gitude 79,  55,  west,  she  made  directly  for  us  with  all  sail  set, 
sweeps  on  both  sides  (the  wind  being  light)  and  was  soon  near 
enough  for  us  to  discover  about  forty  men  on  her  deck,  armed 
with  muskets,  blunderbusses,  cutlasses,  long  knives,  dirks, 
two  carronades,  one  a  twelve,  the  other  a  six  pounder;  she 
was  a  schooner,  wearing  the  Patriot  flag,  (blue  white  and 
blue)  of  the  Republic  of  Mexico.  I  thought  it  not  prudent 
to  resist  them,  should  they  be  pirates,  with  a  crew  of  seven 
men,  and  only  five  muskets;  accordingly  ordered  the  arms 
and  ammunition  to  be  immediately  stowed  away  in  as  secret 
a  place  as  possible,  and  sufT .  her  to  speak  us,  hoping  and 
believing  that  a  republican  flag  indicated  both  honor  and 
friendship  from  those  who  wore  it,  and  which  we  might  expect 
even  from  Spaniards.  But  how  great  was  my  astonishment, 
when  the  schooner  having  approached  very  near  us,  hailed  in 
English,  and  ordered  me  to  heave  my  boat  out  immediately 
and  come  on  board  of  her  with  my  papers.  Accordingly  my 
boat  was  hove  on  but  filled  before  I  could  get  into  her.  I 
was  then  ordered  to  tack  ship  and  lay  by  for  the  pirate's  boat  to 
Doard  me;  which  was  done  by  Bolidar,  their  first  lieutenant, 
with  six  or  eight  Spaiiiards,  armed  with  as  many  of  the  before 
mentioned  weapons  a.s  they  could  well  sling  about  their  bodies 
They  drove  me  into  the  boa',  and  two  of  them  rowed  me  lo 
their  privateer,  (as  they  called  their  vessel,)  where  I  shook 
hands  with  Ler  commander.  Captain  Jonnia,  a  Spaniard,  who 
before  looking  at  my  papers,  ordered  Bolidar,  his  lieutenant, 
to  follow  the  Mexican  in,  back  of  the  Key  they  had  left,  which 
was  done.  At  6  o'clock,  P.  M.  the  Exertion  was  anchored 
in  eleven  feet  water,  near  their  v<  ssel,  and  an  island,  which 
they  called  Twelve  League  Key.  'called  by  the  chart  Key 
Largo,)  about  thirty  or  thirty-five  leagues  from  Trinidad  Af- 
ter this  strange  conduct  they  began  examining  my  papers  bv 


-#r^ 


NARRATIVI   OF    CAPTAIN    LINCOLN. 


171 


t  Scotchman  who  went  by  the  name  of  Nickola,  their  sailing 
master.  He  spoke  good  Knglish,  had  a  countenance  rather 
pleasing,  although  his  beard  and  muHtachios  had  a  frightful 
appearance — his  face,  apparently  full  of  anxiety,  indicated 
something  in  my  favor  ;  he  gave  me  my  papers  saying  "  take 
good  care  of  them,  for  I  am  afraid  that  you  have  fallen  into 
bad  hands.'*  The  pirate's  boat  was  then  sent  to  the  Exertion 
with  more  men  and  arms  ;  a  part  of  (hem  left  on  board  her  ; 
the  rest  returning  with  three  of  my  crew  to  their  vessel  ;  viz. 
Th>mas  Young,  Thomas  Goodall,  and  George  Reed — they 
treated  them  with  something  to  drink,  and  offered  them  equal 
shares  with  themselves,  and  some  money,  if  they  would  enlist, 
but  they  could  not  prevail  on  them.  I  then  requested  per- 
mission to  go  on  board  my  vessel  which  was  granted,  and 
further  requested  Nickola  should  go  with  me,  but  was  refused 
by  the  captain,  who  vociferated  in  a  harsh  manner,  "  No,  No, 
No,"  accompanied  with  a  heavy  stamp  upon  the  deck.  When 
I  got  on  board,  I  was  invited  below  by  Bolidar,  where  I  found 
they  had  emptied  the  case  of  liquors,  and  broken  a  cheese  to 
pieces  and  crumbled  it  on  the  table  and  cabin  floor  ;  the  pirates 
elated  with  their  prize,  (as  they  called  it,)  hud  drank  so  much 
as  to  make  them  desperately  abusive.  I  was  permitted  to 
lie  down  in  my  birth  ;  but  reader,  if  you  have  ever  been 
awakened  by  a  gang  of  armed  desperadoes,  who  have  taken 
possession  of  your  habitation  in  the  midnight  Hoar,  you  can 
imagine  my  feelings.  Sleep  was  a  stranger  to  me,  and  anx- 
iety was  my  guest.  Bolidar,  however,  pretended  friendship, 
and  flattered  me  with  the  prospect  of  being  soon  set  at  liberty. 
But  I  found  him,  as  J  suspected,  a  consummate  hypocrite;  in- 
deed, his  very  looks  indicated  it.  He  was  a  stout  and  well 
built  man,  of  a  dark,  swarthy  complexion,  with  keen,  ferocious 
eyes,*huge  whiskers,  and  beard  under  his  chin  and  on  his  lips 
four  or  five  inches  long  ;  he  was  a  Portuguese  by  birth,  but 
had  become  a  naturalized  Frenchman — had  a  wife,  if  not  chil- 
dren, (as  I  was  told)  in  France,  and  was  well  known  there 
as  commander  of  a  first  rate  private< .'.  His  appearance  was 
truly  terrific  ;  he  could  talk  some  in  English,  and  had  a  most 
lion-iike  voice.  * 

Tuesday,  18th. — Early  this  morning  the  captam  of  the  pi- 
rates came  on  board  the  Exertion  ;  took  a  lo<^k  at  the  cabin- 
stores,  and  cargo  in  the  state  rooms,  and  then  ordered  me  back 
T/ith  him  to  his  vessel,  where  he,  with  his  crew,  held  a  consul- 
'ation  for  some  time,  respecting  the  cargo.  After  which,  the 
fiterpreter,  Nickola,  told  me  that  ^'  the  captain  had  or  pretend- 


17t 


HABftATlVK   or   CAPTAIN    LINOOUf. 


i 


ed  to  have  a  commission  under  General  TraspelaicuS)  conn 
mander  in  chief  of  the  republic  of  Mexico,  authorizing  him  te 
take  all  cargoes  whatever  of  provisions,  bound  to  any  Spanish 
royalist  port — that  my  cargo  being  bound  to  an  enemy's  port, 
must  be  condemned  ',  but  that  the  vessel  should  be  given  up 
and  put  into  a  fair  channel  for  Trinidad  where  I  was  boupd.*' 
I  requested  him  to  examine  the  papers  thoroughly,  and  per- 
naps  he  would  be  convinced  to  the  contrary,  and  told  him  my 
cargo  was  all  American  property  taken  in  at  Boston  and  con- 
■Igned  to  an  American  gentleman  agent  at  Trinidad.  But  the 
captain  would  not  take  this  trouble,  but  ordered  both  vessels 
under  way  immediately,  and  commenced  beating  up  amongst 
the  Keys  through  most  of  the  day,  the  wind  being  very  light. 
They  now  sent  their  boats  on  board  the  Exertion  for  stores, 
and  commenced  plundering  her  of  bread,  butter,  lard,  onions, 
potatoes,  fish,  beans,  &c.  took  up  some  sugar  box  shooks  that 
were  on  deck,  and  found  the  barrels  of  apples  ;  selected  the 
best  of  them,  and  threw  the  rest  of  them  overboard.  They  in- 
quired for  spirits,  wine,  cider,  &c.  and  were  told  "  they  had 
already  taken  all  that  was  on  board."  But  not  satisfied  they 
proceeded  to  search  the  state  rooms  and  forecastle,  ripped  up 
the  floor  of  the  latter  and  found  some  boxes  of  bottled  cider, 
which  they  carried  to  their  vessel,  gave  three  cheers,  in  an 
exulting  manner  to  me,  and  then  began  drinking  it  with  such 
freedom,  that  a  violent  quarrel  arose  between  officers  and 
men,  which  came  very  near  ending  in  bloodshed.  I  was  ac- 
oused  of  falsehood,  for  saying  they  had  already  got  all  the 
liquors  that  were  on  board,  and  I  thought  they  had  ;  the 
truth  was,  I  never  had  any  bill  of  lading  of  the  cider,  and  con- 
sequently had  no  recolh  ction  of  its  being  on  board  ;  yet  it 
served  them  as  an  excuse  for  being  insolent.  In  the  evening 
peace  was  restored  am\  tliey  sung  songs.  I  was  suflfered  to 
go  below  for  the  night,  and  they  i)laced  a  guard  over  me,  sta- 
tioned at  the  companion  way 

Wednesday,  1 9th,  commenced  with  L.oderate  easterly  winds^ 
btiiting  towards  the  noitheast,  the  pirate's  boats  frequently 
going  on  board  the  Exertion  for  potatoes,  fish,  beans,  butter, 
&€  which  were  used  with  great  waste,  and  extravagance 
Thty  gave  me  food  and  drink,  but  of  bad  quality,  more  partic- 
almriy  the  victuals,  which  was  wretchedly  cooked.  The  place 
assigned  me  to  eat  was  covered  with  dirt  and  vermin.  It  ap- 
peared that  their  great  object  was  to  hurt  my  feelings  with 
.hreatsand  observations,  and  to  make  my  situation  asuaplea** 
•nt  at  circumstancei  would  adnut      We  c«me  to  mncbor  ne«r 


-  ill 

^ridillr    1111— 


NARIUTIVl   OP   CAPTAIN    LINCOLN. 


179 


a  Key,  c:Jled  by  them  Brigantine,  where  myself  and  mate 
were  permitted  to  go  on  shore,  but  were  guarded  by  several 
arr«t»;u  pirates.  I  soon  returned  to  the  Mexican  and  my  mate 
to  the  Exertion,  with  George  Reed  one  of  my  crew  ;  tlie  other 
two  being  kept  on  board  the  Mexican.  In  the  course  of  this 
day  I  had  considerable  conversation  with  Nickola,  who  ap- 
peared well  disposed  towards  me  He  lamented  most  deeply 
his  own  situation,  for  he  was  one  of  those  men,  whoso  early 
good  impressions  were  not  entirely  effaced,  although  confed- 
erated with  guilt.  He  told  me  ''  those  who  had  taken  me,  were 
no  better  than  pirates,  and  their  end  Would  be  the  halter  ;  but," 
he  added,  with  peculiar  emotion,  '^  I  will  never  be  hung  as  a 
pirate,''  showing  me  a  bottle  of  laudanum  which  he  had  found 
in  my  medicine  chest,  saying  ''  if  wo  are  taken,  that  shall  cheat 
the  hangman,  before  we  are  condemned."  I  endeavoured  to 
get  it  from  him,  but  did  not  succeed.  I  then  asked  him  how 
he  came  to  be  in  such  company,  as  he  appeared  to  be  dissatis- 
fied. He  stated  "that  he  was  at  i^ew  Orleans  last  summer 
out  of  employment,  and  became  acquainted  with  one  Captain 
August  Orgamar,  a  Frenchman,  who  had  bought  a  small 
schooner  of  about  fifleen  tons,  and  was  going  down  to  the  bay  of 
Mexico  to  get  a  commission,  under  General  Traspelascus,  in 
order  to  go  a  privateering  under  the  patriot  flag.  Captain 
Orgamar  made  him  liberal  offers  respecting  shares,  and  prom- 
ised him  a  sailing  master's  birth,  which  he  accepted  and  em- 
barked on  board  the  schooner,  without  sufficiently  reflecting 
on  the  danger  of  such  an  undertaking.  Soon  afler  she  sailed 
from  Mexico  ;  where  they  got  a  commission,  and  the  vessel 
was  called  Mexican.  They  made  up  a  complement  of  twenty 
men,  and   afler  rendering  the  general  some  little  service,  in 

transporting  his  troops  to  a  place  called proceeded  on  a 

cruise  ;  took  some  small  prizes  off  Campeachy  ;  afterwards 
came  on  the  south  coast  of  Cuba,  where  they  took  other  small 
prizes  and  the  one  which  we  were  now  on  board  of.  By  this 
time  the  crew  were  increased  to  about  forty,  nearly  one  half 
Spaniards,  the  others  Frenchmen  and  Portuguese.  Several 
of  them  had  sailed  out  of  ports  in  the  United  States,  with 
American  protections  ;  but,  I  confidently  believe,  none  ai-e 
natives,  especially  of  the  northern  states.*  I  was  careful  in 
examining  the  men,  being  desirous  of  knowing  if  any  of  my 

*  The  Spaniards  at  Havana  have  been  in  the  habit  of  saying  to  thott 
who  arrive  there,  aAer  suffering  the  horrid  abuse  of  cuttiof ,  beatia^^ 
iMtfifiiif ,  robbing,  he  **  it  is  your  countrymen  that  do  tlm,** 


T4 


^rAERATIVB   OF   CAFTAIN   LINCOLIT. 


'   1 


countrymen  were  ainon;;  this  wietrhrd  crew  ;  but  am  satit- 
fied  there  were  none,  and  my  Scotch  friend  concurred  in  th« 
opinion.  And  now  with  a  now  vessel,  which  was  tho  prize 
of  these  plunderers,  they  sailed  up  ]Man<^arieil  Bay;  previous- 
ly, however,  they  fell  in  with  an  American  schooner,  from 
which  they  hought  four  barrels  of  beof,  and  paid  in  tobacco. 
At  the  6a/  was  an  English  brig  belonging  to  Jamaica,  owned 
by  Mr.  John  Louden  of  that  place.  On  board  of  this  vessel 
the  Spanish  part  of  the  crew  commenced  their  depredations 
%3  pirates,  although  Captain  Orgamar  and  Nickola  protested 
iigrtinst  it,  and  refused  any  participation  ;  but  they  persisted, 
and  like  so  many  ferocious  blood-h<»unda,  boarded  the  brig, 
plundered  the  cabin  stores,  furniture,  captain's  trunk,  &.c.  took 
a  hogshead  of  rum,  one  twelve  pound  carronade,  some  rig- 
ging and  sails.  One  of  them  plundered  the  chest  of  a  sailor, 
who  made  some  resistance,  so  that  the  Spaniard  took  his  cut- 
lass and  beat  and  wounded  him  without  mercy.  Nickola  asked 
ed  him  "  why  he  did  it  ?"  the  fellow  answered  "  I  will  let  you 
know,"  and  took  up  the  cook's  axe  and  gave  him  a  cut  on 
the  head,  which  nearly  deprived  him  of  life.*  Then  they  or- 
dered Captain  Orgamar  to  leave  his  vessel,  allowing  him  his 
trunk  and  turned  him  ashore,  to  seek  for  himself.  Nickola 
begged  them  to  dismiss  him  with  his  captain,  but  no,  no,  waa 
the  answer  ;  for  they  had  no  com' '  te  navigator  but  him. 
After  Captain  Orgamar  was  gone,  ttiv.y  pui  in  his  stead  the 
present  brave  (or  as  1  should  call  him  cowardly)  Captain  Jon- 
nia,  who  headed  them  in  plundering  the  before  mentioned  brig, 
and  made  Bolidar  their  lirst  lieutenant,  and  then  proceeded 
down  among  those  Keys  or  islands,  where  I  was  capturea. 
This  is  the  amount  of  what  my  friend  Nickola  told  me  of  their 
history. 

Thursday,  !20th,  continued  beating  up,  wind  being  light,  the 
pirate's  boats  were  sent  to  the  Exertion  for  more  stores,  sucfj 
as   bread,  lard,  Sec.      1  this  day  divscovered  on  board  the  Mex 
ican  three  black  girls,  of  whom  it  is  weJI  to  say  no  more.     li 
is  impossible  to  give  an  account  of  the  filthiness  of  this  crew 
and  were  it  possible  it  would  not  be  expedient.  In  t^^oir  appear 
ance  they  were  terrific  wearing  black  wiiiskers  and  long  beards 
the  receptacles  of  dirt  and  vermin.    They  used  continually  the 
most  profane  language  ;  had  frequent  quarrels  ;  and  so  great 
wras   their  love   of   gambling   that   {he   captain   would  play 
cards  with  the  meanest  man  on  board.     All  these. things  ren- 

*£[•  abawW  bm  th«  wound,  whi«li  wm  <iiiit«  Iwft  mmi  mad  ikm 


flARKATIVI   or   CAPTAirr    LINOOLN 


lt5 


d^red  them  to  me  objects  of  total  disgust  ''with  a  few  excep- 
tions, as  will  hereafter  appear.)  I  was  told  they  had  a  stab- 
bing match,  but  a  few  days  before  I  wuh  taken,  and  one  man 
came  near  being  killed  ;  they  put  bim  nsliorc  at  a  fisherman'M 
hut  and  there  letl  him  to  perish.  I  saw  the  wound  of  another 
who  had  his  nose  split  open. 

Friday,  21st. — After  laying  at  anchor  through  the  night  in 
itn  fathoms  water,  made  sail  and  stood  to  the  eastward — by  this 
time  1  was  out  of  my  reckoning,  having  no  quadrant,  chart  or 
books.  The  pirate's  boats  were  again  sent  for  stores.  The 
captain  for  the  second  time  demanded  of  mo  where  my  wine, 
brandy,  &.c.  were,  I  again  told  him  they  had  already  got  the 
whole.  They  took  the  deep  sea  lino  and  some  cordage  from 
the  Exertion  and  at  night  came  to  anchor. 

Saturday,  2!2d. — ^Both  vessels  under  way  standing  to  the 
eastward,  they  ran  the  Exertion  aground  on  a  bar,  but  after 
throwing  overboard  most  of  her  deck  load  of  shooks,  she 
floated  off;  a  pilot  wao  sent  to;her  and  she  was  run  into  a  nar- 
row creek  between  two  keys,  where  they  moored  her  head  and 
stern  along  side  the  mangrove  trees,  sent  down  her  yards  and 
topmasts,  and  covered  her  mast  \M  ds  and  shrouds  with  bushes 
to  prevent  her  being  seen  by  vetlels  which  might  pass  that 
way.  I  was  thon  suffered  to  go  on  board  my  own  vessel,  and 
found  her  in  a  very  filthy  condition  ;  sails  torn,  rigging  cut 
to  pieces,  and  every  thing  in  the  cabin  in  waste  and  confusicm. 
The  swarms  of  moschetoes  and  sand-flies  made  it  impossible 
to  get  any  sleep  or  rest.  The  pirate's  large  boat  was  armed 
and  manned  under  Bolidar,  and  sent  of'^  with  letters  to  a  mer- 
chant (as  they  called  him)  by  the  name  of  Dominico,  residing 
in  a  town  called  Principe,  on  the  main  island  of  Cuba.  I  was 
told  by  one  of  them  who  could  speak  English,  that  Principe 
was  a  very  large  and  populous  town,  situated  at  the  head  of 
St.  Maria,  which  was  about  twenty  miles  north  east  from  where 
we  lay,  and  the  Keys  lying  around  us  were  called  Coltot: 
Keys.  The  cnptain  pressed  into  his  service  Francis  de  Suze, 
one  of  my  crew,  ejaying  he  was  one  of  his  countrymen.  Fraiv- 
cis  was  very  reluctant  in  going,  and  said  to  me,  with  tears  in 
his  eyes,  ^^  I  shall  do  nothing  only  what  I  am  obliged  to  do,  and 
will  not  aid  in  the  least  to  hurt  you  or  the  vessel  ;  i  am  very 
801  ry  to  leave  you."  He  was  immediately  put  on  duty  and 
Thomas  Goodall  sent  back  to  the  Exertion. 

Sunday,  23d. — Early  this  morning  a  large  number  of  the 
pirates  came  on  board  of  the  Exertion,  threw  out  the  long 
foatf  broke  open  the  hatehes  and  took  out  eonsiilerable  9i  th* 


lt« 


WAftftATIVB   OP   CAPTAIN    LINOOUI 


K    ill 


carffo,  in  eearch  of  rum,  ein.  Sec.  still  telling  me  '^  I  had  sonM 
anathat  they  would  And  it/'  uttering  the  m(»8t  awful  profane* 
neM.  In  the  afternoon  the  boat  returned  with  a  perough,*  hav- 
ing on  board  the  captain,  hia  fir.-^t  lioutimnnt  and  seven  men  of 
a  patriot  or  piratical  vessel  that  wus  chased  ashore  at  Cape 
Crus  by  a  Spanish  armed  brig.  These  seven  men  made  their  , 
escape  in  said  boat,  and  afler  four  days,  found  our  pirates  and 
joined  them  ;  the  remainder  of  the  crew  being  killed  or  taken 
prisoners. 

Monday,  24th. — Their  boat  was  manned  and  sent  to  the  be- 
fore mentioned  town.  I  was  informed  by  a  line  from  Nickola. 
thut  the  pirates  had  a  man  on  board,  a  native  of  Principe,  who 
in  the  garb  of  a  sailor  was  a  partner  with  Dominico,  but  I  could 
not  get  sight  of  him.  This  lets  us  a  little  into  the  plans  by 
which  this  attrocious  system  of  piracy  has  been  carried  on 
Merchants  having  partners  on  board  of  these  pirates  !  thus 
pirates  at  sea  and  robbers  on  land  arc  associated  to  destroy 
the  peaceable  trader. 

The  willingness  exhibited  b^  the  seven  above-mentioned 
men,  to  join  our  gang  of  pirates,  seemed  to  look  like  a  gene- 
ral understanding  among  them  ;  and  from  there  being  mer- 
chants on  shore  so  base  as  to  encourage  the  plunder  and  vend 
the  goods,  I  am  persuaded  there  has  been  a  systematic  con- 
federacy on  the  part  of  these  unprincipled  desperadoes,  under 
cover  of  the  patriot  flag  ;  and  those  on  land  are  no  better  than 
those  on  the  sea.  If  the  governments  to  whom  they  belong 
know  of  the  attrocities  committed  (and  I  have  but  little  doubt 
they  do)  they  deserve  the  execration  of  all  mankind. 

Tuesday,  25th. — Still  on  board  the  Exertion — weather  very 
calm  and  warm.  The  pirate's  boat  returned  from  St.  Maria, 
and  came  for  candles,  cheese,  potatoes,  kc  they  saying  they 
must  have  them,  and  forbid  my  keeping  any  light  on  board  at 
night — took  a  case  of  trunks  for  the  captain's  use  and  depart- 
ed. Their  irritating  conduct  at  this  time  can  hardly  be  im- 
agined. 

Wednesday,  26th. — I  was  told  by  Bolidar  that  three  Span- 
iah  cruisers  were  in  search  of  them,  that  they  could  tight  two 
of  them  at  once,  (which  by  the  way  I  believe  was  not  true) 
and  were  disappointed  in  not  Boding  them.  Same  evening  they 
took  both  of  my  boats,  and  their  own  men,  towed  their  vessel 
out  of  the  creek,  and  anchored  at  its  mouth  to  get  rid  of  sand- 

*  A  boat  built  of  two  halves  of  a  large  tree,  hollowed  out  and  m  pqt 
tefithw  M  t9  oany  about  thirtf  barreli. 


HAftftATIfB   or   CAPTAIN   LINOOLH 


m 


fli«i;  while  they  obliged  Pff  tc  stay  on  deck  under  an  awning, 
exposed  to  aU  the  violence  of  those  flies  ;  we  relieved  our- 
selves in  some  measure  by  the  burnmg  of  tobacco,  which  last- 
ed but  for  a  short  time. 

Thursday,  27th. — A  gang  of  the  pirutes  came  and  stripped 
our  masts  of  the  green  bushes,  saying,  *'  she  appeared  more 
like  a  sail  than  trees^' — took  one  barrel  of  breau  and  one  of 
potatoes,  using  about  one  of  each  every  day.  I  under- 
stood they  were  waiting  for  boats  to  take  the  cargo  ;  for  the 
principal  merchant  had  gone  to  Trinidad. 

Friday,  28th. — Nothing  remarkable  occurred  this  day- 
were  frequently  called  upon  for  tar  and  butter,  and  junk  to 
make  oakum.  Capt.  Jonnia  brought  on  board  with  him  his 
new  captain  and  officer  before  mentioned.  Again  they  asked 
for  wine,  and  were  told  as  before,  they  had  gotten  the  whole. 

Saturday,  29th — Same  insulting  conduct  continued. — Took 
a  barrel  of  crackers. 

Sunday,  30th. — The  begining  of  trouble  !  this  day  which 
peculiarly  reminds  Christians  of  the  high  duties  of  compas- 
sion and  benevolence,  was  never  observed  by  these  pirates; 
This,  of  course,  we  might  expect,  as  they  did  not  often  know 
when  the  day  came,  and  if  they  knew  it,  it  was  spent  in  gam- 
bling. The  old  saying  among  seamen,  ''  no  Sunday  off  sound- 
ings," was  not  thought  of  ;  and  even  this  poor  plea  was  not 
theirs,  for  they  were  on  soundings  and  oflen  at  anchor.  Ear- 
ly this  morning  the  merchant,  as  they  called  him,  came  with  a 
large  boat  for  the  cargo.  I  was  immediately  ordered  into  the 
boat  with  my  crew,  not  allowed  any  breakfast,  and  carried 
about  three  miles  to  a  small  island  out  of  sight  of  the  Exer- 
tion and  left  there  by  the  side  of  a  little  pond  of  thick,  mud- 
dy water,  which  proved  to  be  very  brackish,  with  nothing  to 
eat  but  a  few  biscuit.  One  of  the  boat's  men  told  us  the 
merchant  was  afraid  of  being  recognised,  and  when  he  had 
gone  the  boat  would  return  for  us  ;  but  we  had  great  reason 
to  apprehend  they  would  deceive  us  ;  and  therefore  passed 
the  day  in  the  utmost  anxiety.  At  night,  however,  the  boats 
came  and  took  us  again  on  board  the  Exertion  ;  when  to  our 
surprise  and  astonishment  we  found  they  had  broken  open  the 
trunks  and  chests  and  taken  all  our  wearing  apparel,  not  even 
leaving  a  shirt  or  pair  of  pantaloons,  not  sparmg  a  small  min- 
iature of  my  wife  which  was  in  my  trunk.  The  little  money  I 
and  my  mate  had,  with  some  beldnging  to  the  owners,  my  mata 
had  previously  distributed  about  the  cabin  in  three  or  four  paiw 
oekiy  while  I  was  on  board  the  pirate,  for  w«  daia  not  keep  it 


.■.■.».au=a»'m*<n  ■;.»»..*:■: 


Its 


HAREATIVK   0»   CAPTAIN   LlffOOUl 


» 


about  us ;  one  parcel  ^n  a  butter  pot  they  did  not  dzscover.-- 
Amidst  the  hurry  with  which  I  vvas  obliged  to  >cave  my  vessei 
to  go  to  the  before  mentioned  island,  I  fortunately  snatched 
my  vessel's  papers,  and  hid  them  in  my  bosom,  which  the  rea- 
der will  find  was  a  happy  circumstance  fur  me.  My  writing 
desk,  with  papers,  accounts,  8tc.  all  Mr.  Lord's  letters  (the 
gentleman  to  whom  my  cargo  was  consigned)  and  several 
others  were  taken  and  maliciously  destroyed.  My  medicine 
chest,  which  I  so  much  wanted,  was  kept  for  their  own  use 
What  their  motive  could  be  to  take  my  papers  i  could  not  im- 
agine, except  they  had' hopes  of  finding  bills  of  lading  for  some 
Spaniards,  to  clear  them  from  piracy.  Mr.  Bracket  had  some 
notes  and  papers  of  conrtequonce  t.i  him,  which  shared  the  same 
fate.  My  quadrant,  charts,  boo'is  and  some  bedding  were  not 
yet  taken,  but  I  found  it  impossijle  to  hide  them,  and  they  were 
soon  gone  from  my  sight 

Monday,  31st. — We  complained  to  them,  expressing  the 
necessity  of  having  clothes  to  cover  us — but,  as  well  might  we 
have  appealed  to  the  winds,  and  rather  better,  for  they  would 
not  have  upbraided  us  in  return.  The  captain,  however,  sent 
word  he  would  see  to  it,  and  ordered  their  clothes  bags  to  be 
searched,  where  he  found  some  of  our  things,  but  took  good 
care  to  put  them  into  his  own  cabin.  I  urgently  requested  him 
to  give  me  the  miniature,  l.ut,  no  was  all  1  could  get. 

Tuesday,  January,  1st,  1822. — A  sad  new  year's  day  to  me. 
Before  breakfast  orders  came  for  me  to  cut  down  the  Exer- 
tion's railing  and  bulwarks  on  one  side,  for  their  vessel  to  heave 
out  by,  and  clean  her  bottom.  On  my  hesitating  a  little  Jiey 
observed  with  anger,  "  very  well  capiain,  suppose  you  i?a  do  it 
quick,  we  f)'>  it  for  you."  Directly  afterwards  another  boat 
full  of  armed  men  came  alorg  side;  they  jumped  on  deck  with 
swords  drawn  and  ordered  all  of  as  into  her  immediately  ;  I 
stepped  below,  in  hopes  of  getting  somet'iing  which  would  bo 
of  service  to  us  ;  but  the  captain  hallooed,  "go  in  the  boat 
directly  or  I  will  fire  upon  you."  Thus  compelled  to  obey, 
we  were  carried,  together  with  four  Spanish  prisoners,  to  a 
small,  low  island  or  key  of  sand  in  the  shape  of  a  half  moon 
and  partly  covered  with  mangrove  trt  3s  ;  which  was  about 
one  mile  from  and  in  sight  of  my  vessel.  There  they  left  nine 
of  us,  with  a  Ifttle  bread,  f!our,  fish,  lard,  a  little  cotlee  and 
molasses  ;  two  or  three  kegs  of  water,  which  was  brackish;  an 
old  sail  for  a  covering.,  and  a  pot  and  some  otbier  small  arti- 
cles no  way  fit  to  cook  in.  Leaving  us  these,  which  were 
much  less  than  ^bey  appear  in  the  euumeration,  ihty  puaM 


VAftRATIVB   OF    CAPTIAN    LINCOLN. 


179 


off,  saying  "  we  will  come  to  see  you  in  a  day  or  two  ''  Se* 
lecting  the  best  place,  we  spread  the  old  sail  for  an  awning  : 
but  no  place  was  free  from  flies,  muschetoes,  snakes,  the  ven- 
omous santipee.  Sometimes  they  wore  found  crawling  inside 
of  our  pantaloons,  but  fortunately  no  injury  was  received. 
This  afternoon  the  pirates  hove  their  vessel  out  by  the  Exer- 
tion and  cleaned  one  side,  using  hor  paints,  oil,  &.C.  for  that  pur- 
pose. To  see  my  vessel  in  that  situation  and  to  think  of  our 
prospects  was  a  source  of  the  deepest  distress.  At  night  we 
retired  to  our  tent  \  but  haviijg  nothing  but  the  cold  damp 
ground  for  a  bed,  and  the  heavy  dew  of  the  night  penetrating 
the  old  canvass — the  situation  of  the  island  being  fifty  miles 
from  the  usual  track  of  friendly  vessels,  and  one  hundred  and 
thirty-tive  from  Trinidad — seeing  my  owner's  property  so  un- 
justly and  wantonly  destroyed — considering  my  condition,  the 
hands  at  whose  n^^rcy  I  was,  and  deprived  of  all  hopes,  ren- 
dered sleep  or  resi,  a  st»'  nger  to  me. 

Wednesday,  2d. — Th  pirates  hove  out  and  cleaned  the  oth- 
er side.  She  then  commenced  loading  with  the  Exertion's 
cargo,  which  appeared  to  be  flour  and  lard.  In  the  afternoon 
their  boat  came  and  took  two  of  the  Spaniards  with  them  to 
another  island  for  water,  and  soon  aft'^r  returned  with  four 
kegs  of  poor,  unwholesome  water,  and  left  us,  saying  they 
should  not  bring  us  provisions  again  for  some  time  •,  as  they 
were  going  away  with  goods  from  the  prize,  to  be  gone  two  or 
three  days.  Accordingly  they  brought  a  present  supply  of 
beef,  pork,  and  a  few  potatoes,  with  some  bedding  for  myself 
and  mate.  The  mangrove  wood  afforded  us  a  good  fire,  as 
one  of  the  R;,ainsh  prisoners  happened  to  have  fire-works  ;  and 
others  had  tobacco  and  paper  with  which  we  made  cigars. 
About  this  time  one  of  my  men  began  to  be  unwell  ;  his  legs 
and  body  swelled  considerably,  but  having  no  medicine  I  could 
not  do  nruch  to  relieve  him. 

Thursday,  3d. — The  pirates  had  dropped  off"  from  the  Ex- 
ertion, but  kept  their  boats  employed  in  bringing  the  cargo 
from  her  ;  I  supposed  it  to  be  kegs  of  lard  to  make  stowage. 
The}  then  got  under  way  with  a  perough  in  tow,  both  deep- 
ly laden,  run  out  of  the  harbor,  hauled  on  the  wind  to  the 
eastward  UIl  out  of  sight  behind  the  Keys  j  leaving  a  guard 
on  uo&rd  the  Exertion. 

Friday,  4th. — Con^menccd  with  light  winds  and  hot  sun, 
saw  a  boat  coming  from  the  Exertion,  apparently  loaded  ;  she 
passed  between  two  small  Keys  to  the  northward,  supposed  to 
hi  bound  for  Cuba.     At  sunset  a  boat  cam  i  a&d  inquired 


iii^BF 


m 


!I0 


VABftATIt'B   or   CAFTAIlf   LINOOUI 


we  WAiitecl  any  thing,  but  instead  of  adding  to  our  provigions^ 
kook  away  our  molasses,  and  pushed  off.  We  found  one  of 
the  Exertion's  water  casks,  and  several  pieces  of  plank,  which 
we  carefully  laid  up,  in  hopes  of  getting  enough  to  make  a  rail. 
Saturday,  5th. — Pirates  again  in  sight  coniipg  from  the 
eastward ;  they  beat  up  along  side  their  prize,  and  com- 
menced loading.  In  the  afternoon  Nickola  came  to  us,  bring- 
ing with  him  two  more  prisoners,  which  they  had  taken  in  a 
small  sail  boat  coming  from  Trinidad  to  Manganeil,  one  a 
Frenchman,  the  other  a  Scotchman,  with  two  Spaniards,  who 
remained  on  board  the  pirate,  and  who  atlerwards  joined 
them.  The  back  of  one  of  these  poor  fellows  was  extremely 
sore,  having  just  suffered  a  cruel  beating  from  Bolidar,  with 
the  broad  side  of  a  cutlass.  It  appeared,  that  when  the  officer 
asked  him  "  where  their  money  was,  and  how  much,*'  he  an- 
swered, "  he  was  not  certain  but  believed  they  had  only  two 
ounces  of  gold."  Bolidar  furiously  swore  he  said  "  ten,"  and 
not  finding  any  more,  gave  him  the  beating.  Nickola  now  re- 
lated to  me  a  singular  fact ;  which  was,  that  the  Spanish  part 
of  the  crew  were  determined  to  shoot  him  ;  that  they  tied  him 
to  the  mast,  and  the  man  was  appointed  for  the  purpose  ;  hut 
Lyon,  a  Frenchman,  his  particular  friend,  stepped  up  and 
told  them,  if  they  shot  him,  they  must  shoot  several  more  ; 
some  of  the  Spaniards  sided  with  him,  and  he  was  released 
?^ickola  told  me,  the  reason  for  .such  treatment  was,  that  he 
continually  objected  to  their  conduct  towards  mc,  and  their 
opinion  was  if  he  should  escape  they  should  be  discovered,  as 
he  declared  he  v»:.'Hd  take  no  prize  money.  While  with  Ui, 
he  '^ave  me  a  letter  written  in  great  haste,  which  containa 
■ome  particulars  respecting  the  cargo  ; — as  follows  * 

January,  4th,  182!2. 
Sir — ^We  arrived  here  this  morning,  and  before  we  came 
to  anchor,  had  five  canoes  along  side  ready  to  take  your  car- 
^o,  part  of  which  we  had  in  ;  and  as  I  heard  you  express  a 
wish,  to  know  what  they  took  out  of  he  '  i  this  moment,  you 
may  depend  on  this  account  of  Jamieson,*'  for  quality  and 
quantity  ;  if  I  have  the  same  opportunity  you  will  have  an 
account  of  the  whole.  The  villian  who  bought  your  cargo  is 
from  the  town  of  Principe,  his  name  is  Dominico,  as  to  that 
it  is  all  that  I  can  learn  ;  they  have  taken  your  charts  on  bo  <rd 
the  schooner  Mexican  and  I  suppose  mean  to  keep  them  %■ 
the  other  captain  has  agreed  to  act  the  same  infamous  pai     « 


*  This  if  th«  rsal  name  of  Nickola. 


HAmBATITl   OF   CAPTAIN   LirVCOLlf. 


182 


the  tragedy  ofhiolif^.  Your  clothen  are  here  on  board,  bntdu 
not  let  me  flatter  you,  that  you  will  get  them  back  ;  it  may  be 
«o,  and  it  may  not.  Perhaps  in  yqur  old  age,  when  you  re- 
cline with  ease  in  a  corner  ofyour  cottage,  you  will  have  the 
goodness  to  drop  a  tear  of  pleasure  to  the  memory  of  hjn, 
whose  highest  ambition  should  have  been  to  subscribe  himself . 
though  devoted  to  the  gallows,  your  iriend, 

Excuse  haste  Nickola  Monaori 

P    S.     Your  answer  in  writing  when  I  come  again 

Sunday,  3th. — The  pirates  were  under  way  at  sunrise,  with 
a  full  load  of  the  Exertion^s  cargo,  going  to  Principe  again,  to 
sell  a  second  freight,  which  was  done  readily  for  cash.  I 
afterwards  heard  that  the  flour  brought  only  five  dollars  per 
barrel,  when  it  was  worth  at  Trinidad  thirteen  ;  so  that  the  vil- 
lain who  bought  my  cargo  at  Principe,  made  very  large  profits 
by  it. 

Monday,  7th. — The  pirates  brought  more  water,  but  being 
very  brackish,  it  was  unfit  for  use.  We  were  now  greatly 
alarmed  at  Thomas'  ill  health,  being  suddenly  attacked  with  a 
pain  in  the  head,  and  swelling  of  the  right  eye,  attended  with 
derangement.  He  however  soon  became  better  ;  but  his  eye 
remained  swollen  several  days  without  much  pain.  In  the 
evening  we  had  some  heavy  showers  of  rain,  and  having  no 
secure  cabin,  no  sheltered  retreat,  our  exposure  made  us  pass 
a  very  uncomfortable  nighi. 

Tuesday,  8th. — Early  this  morning  the  pirates  m  sight  again, 
with  fere  top  sail  and  top  gallant  sail  set ;  beat  up  along  side 
of  the  Exertion  and  commenced  loading  ;  having  as  I  sup 
posed,  sold  and  discharged  her  la^t  freight  among  the  inhabit 
ants  of  Cuba.  They  appeared  to  load  in  great  haste  ;  and 
tho  song  "  O  he  oh,"  which  echoed  from  one  vessel  to  the 
other,  was  distinctly  heard  by  us.  How  wounding  was  this  to 
ine  !  How  different  was  this  sound  from  what  it  would  have 
been,  had  I  been  permitted  to  pass  unmolested  by  these  law- 
less plunderers,  had  been  favoured  with  a  safe  arrival  at 
the  port  of  my  destination,  where  my  cargo  would  have  found 
an  excellent  sale  Then  would  the  **  O  he  ho,"  on  its  diV 
charging,  have  been  a  delightful  sound  to  me.  In  the  after 
noon  she  sailed  with  the  perough  in  tow,  both  with  a  full  load  ; 
having  chairs,  which  was  part  of  the  cargo,  slung  at  her  quar- 
ters. 

Wednesdiy,  9th. — Very  calm  and  warm.  The  swarnM  of 
inowhetoeR  and  flios  made  us  pass  a  verv  uncomfortable  4%r 


■  ^^,<H>tlM«ilHi«» 'Ifl* 


Its 


NAlRATirK    OF   CAPTAIN    LINCOLN. 


We  dug  in  the  sand  for  water,  but  wen,  disappointed  in  find 
ing  none  so  good  as  they  lefl  us.  In  walking  round  ainonff  the 
bushes,  I  accidentally  discovered  a  hole  in  the  sand,  and  saw 
something  run  into  it  ;  curiosity  led  me  to  dig  about  it.  With 
the  help  of  Mr.  Bracket  I  found  at  the  distance  of  seven  feev 
from  its  mouth,  and  one  fiom  the  surface,  a  large  solitary  rat 
apparently  several  years  old  ;  he  had  collected  a  .arge  nest  of 
grass  and  leaves  ;  but  there  was  not  the  least  appearance  of 
any  other  being  on  the  island. 

Thursday,  10th.—- No  pirates  in  sight.  The  day  wr.a  passed 
li  anxious  suspense  ;    David  Warren  being  quite  sick. 

Friday,  1 1th. — They  came  and  hauled  along  side  of  the 
Exertion,  but  I  think  took  out  none  of  her  cargo  :  but  had,  as 
I  supposed,  a  vendue  on  board,  wherein  was  sold  among  them- 
selves, all  our  books,  clothing,  (juadrants,  charts,  spy-glasses 
and  every  thing  belonging  to  us  and  our  fellow  prisoners.  I 
was  afterwards  told  they  brought  a  good  price  ;  but  what  they 
could  want  of  the  Bible,  Prayer-Book  and  many  other  books 
in  English,  was  matter  of  astonishment  to  me. 

Saturday,  12th. — They  remained  along  side  the  Exertion  j 
took  the  paints,  oil,  bn/jhes,  he.  and  gave  their  vessel  a  new 
coat  of  paint  all  arouvid,  and  a  white  boot  top — took  the  per- 
ough  to  another  key  and  caulked  her — there  was  no  appear- 
ance of  their  taking  any  cargo  out  ;  the  Exertion  however  ap- 
peared considerably  high  out  of  water.  About  sunset  the 
pirates  went  out  of  the  harbour  on  a  crui/e.  Here  we  had 
been  staying  day  a'iler  day,  and  exposed  night  after  night — 
apprehensions  for  our  safety  v/ere  »nuch  increased  ;  what  was 
to  be  become  of  us,  seemed  now  to  rush  into  everj'^  one's 
mind. 

Sunday,  13ln. — Deprived  of  our  good  oooks,  deprived  in  fact 

of  every  thing,  save  life,  and  our  ideas  respecting  our  fate  so 

gloomy,  all  tended  to  render  time,  especially  the  Lord's  day, 

burdensome  lo  all.     In  the  afternoon  a  boat  came  for  cargo, 

\m,  as  I  suoDosod,  that  villain  Dominico., 

Monday,  14th. — 'Hipy  again  hove  in  sight,  as  usual,  along 
tide  thsir  prize.  While  passing  our  solitary  island,  they 
laughed  at  our  misery  which  was  almost  insupportable, — 
lookirg  upon  us  as  thotigh  we  had  committed  some  heinous 
crime,  and  thev  nad  not  sufficiently  punished  us  ;  they  hal- 
looed to  us,  crving  out,  "  Captain,  Cnptain,*'  accompanien 
with  obscene  motu)ns  and  words,  \vith  which  I  shall  not  l/lacken 
these  pages — yd  1  heard  no  check  upon  such  conduct,  nor 
f puld  1  expect  it  am>ng  such  a  gang,  who  have  no  idea  of 


NAERATIVl   or   CAPTAIN    LINCOLN. 


!«• 


iiubordination  on  board,  except  when  in  chase  of  vessels, 
ind  even  then  but  very  little.  My  resentment  was  excited  at 
such  a  malicious  outrage,  and  I  felt  a  disposition  to  revenge 
myself,  should  fortune  ever  favor  me  vi^itli  an  opportui.ity.  It 
was  beyond  human  nature  not  to  feel  and  express  some  indig- 
nation at  such  treatment. — Soon  after,  Bolidar,  with  five  men, 
well  armed,  came  to  us  ;  he  having  a  blunderbuss,  cutlass,  a 
vng  knife  and  pair  of  pistols — but  for  what  purpose  did  he 
6ome  ?  He  took  me  by  the  hand  saying,  '^  Captain,  me  speak 
with  ycu,  walk  this  way."  I  obeyed,  and  when  we  were  at 
Home  distance  from  my  fellow  prisoners,  (his  men  following) 
nesdid,  *''tho  captain  send  me  for  your  wash.''  I  pretended  not 
vO  understand  what  he  meant  and  replied  ''  1  have  no  clothes, 
nor  any  soap  to  wash  with — you  have  taken  them  all" — for  I 
nad  kept  my  watch  about  me,  hoping  they  would  not  discover 
it  He  demanded  it  again  as  before  ;  and  was  answered,  "  I 
huve  nothing  to  wash  ;  this  raised  his  anger,  and  lifting  his 
olunderbuss  he  roared  out,  "  what  the  d — I  you  call  him  that 
make  clock  }  give  it  me."  I  considered  it  imprudent  to  contend 
any  longer  and  submitted  to  his  unlawful  demand.  As  he  was 
going  oft*,  he  gave  me  a  small  bundle  in  which  was  a  pair  of 
linen  drawers,  sent  to  me  by  Nickola,  and  also  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Brooks'  "  Family  Prayer  Book."  This  gave  me  great  satis- 
faction. Soon  after,  he  returned  with  his  ca^itain  who  had  one 
arm  slung  up,  yet  with  as  many  implements  of  war,  as  his 
diminutive  wicked  self  could  conveniently  carry;  he  told  me 
(through  an  interpreter  who  was  a  prisoner)  "  that  on  his 
cruise,  he  had  fallen  in  with  two  Spanish  privateers,  and 
beat  them  off;  but  had  three  of  his  men  killed  and  himself 
wounded  in  the  arm."  Bolidar  turned  to  me  and  said,  "  it  is  a 
d — n  lie" — which  words  proved  to  be  correct,  for  his  arm  wai 
not  wounded,  and  when  I  saw  him  agdin,  which  was  sooa 
afterwards,  he  forgot  to  sling  it  up.  He  furiher  told  me, 
"  after  to-niorrow  you  shall  go  with  your  vessel  and  we  will 
accompany  you  towards  Trinidad."  This  gave  me  some  new 
hopes,  and  why  I  could  not  tell.  They  then  left  us  without 
rendering  any  assistance. — This  night  've  got  somc^  rest. 

Tuesday,  15th. — The  word.s  "  go  after  ;lo-morrow,"  were 
used  among  our  Spanish  fellow  prisoners,  aa  though  that 
happy  to-;,»iorrow  w  >uld  never  come — in  what  manner  \i  cam* 
will  soou  be  noticed. 

Wednesday,  16th. — One  of  tneir  boats  came  to  inquire  if 
we  had  seen  a  boat  [^itss  by  last  night,  for  their  small  iloop 
MUJ  boat  wais  gone  and  two  men  deserted  :  I  'old  them  "  no**  — 


] 


t^- 


mr^ 


IM 


MABBATITl   OW  OlPTAIIf   LINCOLN. 


At  heart  I  could  not  but  rejoice  at  the  escape,  and  approve  the 
deserters— I  said  nothing,  however,  of  this  kind  to  the  pirates 
On  their  return,  they  manned  three  of  their  boats  and  sent 
them  in  different  directions  to  search,  but  at  night  came  back 
without  finding  boat  or  men.  They  now  took  our  old  sail, 
which  hitherto  had  somewhat  sheltered  us,  to  make,  as  I  sup- 
posed, some  small  sail  for  their  vessel.  This  rendered  our 
night  more  uncomfortable  than  before,  for  in  those  islands  the 
night  dews  are  very  heavy. 

Thursday,  nth,  was  passed  with  great  impatience  The 
Exertion  having  been  unmoored  and  swung  to  her  anchor, 
gave  some  hopes  of  being  restored  to  her ;  but  was  disap- 
pointed. 

Friday,  18th,  commenced  with  brighter  prospects  of  liberty 
than  ever — the  pirates  were  employed  in  setting  up  our  devo- 
ted schooner's  shrouds,  stays,  &c.  My  condition  now  remind- 
ed me  of  the  hungry  man,  chained  in  one  corner  of  the  room, 
while  at  another  part  was  a  table  loaded  with  delicious  food 
and  fruits,  the  smell  and  sight  of  which  he  was  continually  to 
experience,  but,  alas  !  his  chains  were  never  to  be  loosed  that 
he  might  go  and  partake — at  almost  the  same  moment  they 
were  thus  employed,  the  axe  was  applied  with  the  greatest 
dexterity  to  both  her  masts,  and  T  saw  thetn  fall  over  the  side  ! 
Here  fell  my  hopes — I  looked  at  my  condition,  and  then 
thought  of  home.  Our  Spanish  fellow  prisoners  were  so  dis- 
appointed and  alarmed,  that  they  recommended  hiding  our- 
selves, if  possible,  among  the  mangrove  trees,  believing,  as 
they  said,  we  should  now  certainly  be  put  to  death  ;  or,  what 
was  worse,  compelled  to  serve  on  board  the  Mexican  as  pirates. 
Little  else  it  is  true  seemed  left  for  us  ;  however,  we  kept  a 
bright  look  out  for  them  during  the  day,  and  at  night  '^  an 
anchor  watch"  as  we  called  it,  determined  if  we  discovered 
their  boats  coming  towards  us,  to  adopt  the  plan  of  hiding, 
although  starvation  stared  us  in  the  face  ;  yet  preferred  that 
to  instant  death.  This  night  was  passed  with  sufHcient  anx- 
iety— I  took  the  first  watch.  ^ 

Saturday,  19th. — The  pirate's  large  boat  came  for  us — it 
being  daylight,  and  supposing  they  could  see  us,  de\ermined  to 
stand  our  ground  and  wait  tne  result.  They  ordered  us  all 
into  the  boat,  but  left  every  thing  else  ;  they  rowed  towards 
the  Exertion — I  noticed  a  dejection  of  spirits  in  one  of  the 
pirates,  and  inquired  of  him  where  they  were  going  to  carry 
us  ?  He  shook  his  head  and  replied  "  I  do  not  know."  I  now 
had  some  hopes  of  visiting  my  vessel  again — but  the  piratea 


I 


^ 


HABmATITB  OV  CAPTAIN   LINGO  LIT. 


ltd 


Bwde  tail)  run  down,  took  ua  in  tow  and  stood  out  of  the  nat 
bor  Bolidar  afterwards  took  me,  my  mate  and  two  of  my  mer 
on  board  and  gave  us  some  coffee.  On  examination  I  founc 
they  had  several  additional  light  sails,  made  of  the  Exertion's. 
Almost  every  man,  a  pair  of  canvass  trousers  ;  and  my  colon 
cut  up  and  made  into  belts  to  carry  their  money.  My  Jolly 
6oat  was  on  deck,  and  I  was  informed,  all  my  rigging  waa 
disposed  of  Several  of  the  pirates  had  on  some  of  my  clothes, 
and  the  captain  one  of  my  best  shirts,  a  cleaner  one,  than  I 
had  ever  seen  him  have  on  before.  He  kept  at  good  distance 
from  me,  and  forbid  my  friend  Nickola's  speaking  to  me.  I 
■aw  from  the  companion  way  in  the  captain's  cabm  my  quad- 
rant, spy  glass  and  other  things  which  belonged  to  U8.  and 
observed  by  the  compass,  that  the  ccurse  steered  wa^  about 
west  by  south, — distance  nearly  twenty  miles,  which  brought 
them  up  with  a  cluster  of  islands  cit'.lled  by  some  ^^  Cayman 
Keys."  Here  they  anchored  and  caught  some  fish,  (one  of 
which  was  named  gu'::^rd  fish)  of  which  we  had  a  taste.  I  ob- 
served that  my  friend  Mr.  Bracket  was  somewhat  dejected, 
and  asked  him  in  a  low  tone  of  voice,  what  his  opinion  was  with 
respect  to  our  fate  ?  He  answered,  '^  I  cannot  tell,  but  it 
appears  to  me  the  worst  is  to  come."  I  told  him  that  I  hoped 
not,  but  thought  they  would  give  us  our  small  boat  and  liber- 
ate the  prisoners.  But  mercy  even  in  this  shape  was  not  left 
for  us.  Soon  after,  saw  the  captain  and  officers  whispering  for 
■ome  time  in  private  conference.  When  over,  their  boat  was 
manned  under  the  command  of  Bolidar,  and  went  to  one  of 
those  Islands  or  Keys  before  mentioned.*  On  their  return, 
another  conference  took  place — whether  it  was  a  jury  upon  our 
lives  we  could  not  tell — I  did  not  think  conscience  could  be 
entirely  extinguished  in  the  human  breast,  or  that  men  could 
become  fiends.  In  the  afternoon  while  we  knew  not  the 
doom  which  had  been  fixed  for  us,  the  captain  was  engaged 
with  several  of  his  men  in  gambling,  in  hopes  to  get  back  some 
of  the  five  hundred  dollars,  they  said  he  lost  but  a  few  nights 
beiic)re  ;  which  had  made  him  unusually  fractious.  A  little 
before  sunset  he  ordered  us  all  into  the  large  boat  with  a  sup- 
ply of  provisions  and  water,  and  to  be  put  on  shore.  While 
we  were  getting  into  her,  one  of  my  fellow  prisoners,  a  Spaa* 

•  This  Key  was  full  of  mangrove  trees,  whose  tops  turn  down 
and  take  root,  forming  a  Rind  of  umbrella.  The  tine  at  hieh  wa- 
ter flows  two  feet  deep  under  them  ;  it  is  therefore  impossible  for 
Imman  beiogt  to  live  long  aatono'  them,  even  with  food  and  water 


■M 


y 


I 


IM 


HimmATiTB  or  captain  Liifoouf. 


iard,  attempted  with  teafn  in  his  eyes  to  epeak  to  the  captain, 
but  was  refused,  with  the  answer — *'  I'll  have  nothing  to  sa/ 
to  any  prisoner,  go  int«   the  boat."     In  the  mean  time  Nick- 
oia  said  to  me,   ''  My   iriend,  I  will  give  you   your  book,*' 
(being  Mr.  (Johnan's  Sermons,)  '*  it  is  the  only  thing  of  youn 
that  is  m  my  possession,  I  dare  not  attempt  any  thing  more." 
But  the  captain  forbid  his  giving  it  to  me,  and  I  stepped  into 
the  boat — ^at  that  moment  Nickola  said  in  a  low  voice,  '*  never 
mind,  I  may  see  you  again  before  I  die."     The  small  boat 
was  well  armed  and  manned,  and  both  set  off  together  for  the 
island,  where  they  had  agreed  to  leave  us  to  perish  !      The 
scene  to  us  was  a  funeral  scene.     There  were  no  arms  in  the 
prisoner's  boat,  and,  of  course,  all   attempts  to  relieve  our- 
selves would  have  been  throwing  our  lives  away,  as   Bolidar 
was  near  us,  well  armed.     We  were  rowed  about  two  miles 
northeasterly    from  the   pirates  to  a  small  low  island,  lonely 
and  desolate.     We   arrived  about  sunset  ;  and  for   the  sup- 
port of  us  eleven  prisoners,  they  only  left  a  ten  gallon  keg  of 
water,  and  perhaps  a  few  quarts,  in  another  small  vessel,  which 
was  very  poor  ;  part  of  a  barrel  of  flour,  a  small  keg  of  lard, 
one  ham  and  some  salt  fish  ;   a  small  kettle  and  an  old  broken 
pot  ;   an  old  sail  for  a  covering,  and  a  small  blanket,  which 
was  thrown  out  as  the  boat  hastened  away.     One  of  the  pris- 
oners happened  to  have  a  little  coffee  in  his  pocket,  and  these 
comprehended  all  our  means  of  sustaining  life,  and  for  what 
length  of  time  we  knew  not.     We  now  felt  the  need  of  water, 
and  our  supply  was  comparatively  nothing      A  man  may  live 
twice  as  long  without  food,  as  without  water.     Look  at  us 
now,  my  friends,  lefl  benighted  on  a  little  spot  of  sand  in  the 
midst  of  the   ocean,  far  from  the  usual  track  of  vessels,  and 
every  appearance  of  a  violent  thunder  tempest,  and  a  boister- 
ous night.     Judge  of  my    feelings,   and    the   circumstances 
which  our  band  of  sufferers  now  witnessed.     Perhaps  you  can 
and  have  pitied  us — I  assure  you,  we  were  very  wretched  ;  and 
to  paint  the  scene,  is  not  within  my  power.     When  the  boats 
were  moving  from  the  shore,  on  recovering  myself  a  little,  I 
asked  Bolidar,  '^  If  he  was  going  to  leave  us  so?''  he  answered, 
''no,  only  two  days — we  go  for  water  and  wood,  then  come 
back,  take  you."      I    requested  him  to  give  us  bread  and 
other  stores,  for  they  had  plenty  in  the  boat,  and  at  least  one 
hundred  barrels  of  flour  in  the  Mexican,  '^  no,   no,  suppose 
to-morrow  morning  me  come,  me  give  you  bread,"   and  nur" 
ried  off  to  their  vessel.     This  was  the  last  time  I  saw  hini 
Wetben  turned  our  attention  upon  finding  a  spot  most  eonr^ 


llAmAATItl  OF  OAPTaIN    LINCOLN. 


181 


nioDt  for  our  comfort,  and  soon  discovered  a  little  roof  support 
ed  by  stakes  driven  into  the  sand  ;*  it  was  thatched  with  the 
leaves  of  the  cocoa-nut  tree,  a  considerable  part  of  which  was 
torn  or  blown  off.  After  spreading  the  old  sail  over  this  roof 
we  placed  our  little  stock  of  provisions  under  it.  Soon  after 
came  on  a  heavy  shower  of  ruin  which  penetrated  the  can- 
vass, and  made  it  nearly  as  uncomfortable  inside,  as  it  would 
have  been  out.  We  were  not  prepared  to  catch  water,  hav- 
ing nothing  to  put  it  in.  Our  next  object  was  to  get  fire,  and 
after  gathering  some  of  the  driest  fuel  to  be  found,  and  having 
a  small  piece  of  cotton  wick-yarn,  with  flint  and  steel,  we 
kindled  a  Are,  which  was  never  afterwards  suftered  to  be 
extinguished.  The  night  was  very  dark,  but  we  found  a  piece 
of  old  rope,  which  when  well  lighted  served  for  a  candle.  On 
examining  the  ground  under  the  roof,  we  found  perhaps  thou- 
sands of  creeping  insects,  scorpions,  lizards,  crickets,  &c.  Af- 
ter scraping  them  out  as  well  as  we  could,  the  most  of  ushav- 
mg  £Dthing  but  the  damp  earth  for  a  bed,  laid  oirselves  down 
in  hope^  of  some  rest ;  but  it  being  so  wet,  gave  many  of  us 
severe  colds,  and  one  of  the  Spaniards  was  quite  sick  for  sev- 
eral days. 

Sunday,  20th. — As  soon  as  day  light  came  on,  we  proceed- 
ed to  take  a  view  of  our  little  island,  and  found  it  to  measure 
only  one  acre,  of  coarse,  white  sand  ;  about  two  feet,  and  in 
some  spots  perhaps  three  feet  above  the  surface  of  the  ocean. 
On  the  highest  part  were  growing  some  bushes  and  small  man- 
groves, (the  dry  part  of  which  was  our  fuel)  and  the  wild  cas- 
tor oil  beans.  We  were  greatly  disappointed  in  not  ftnding 
^he  latter  suitable  food  ;  likewise  some  of  the  prickly  pear 
bushes,  which  gave  us  only  a  few  pears  about  the  size  of  our 
small  button  pear  ;  the  outside  has  thorns,  which  if  applied  to 
the  fingers  or  lips,  will  remain  there,  and  cause  a  severe 
smarting  similar  to  the  nettle  ;  the  msidc  a  spungy  substance 
full  of  juice  and  seeds,  which  are  red  and  a  little  tartish — had 
they  been  there  in  abundance,  we  should  not  have  suffered  so 
much  for  wate^ — but  alas  !  even  this  substitute  was  not  for  us. 
On  the  northerly  side  of  the  island  was  a  hollow,  where  the 
tide  penetrated  the  sand,  leaving  stagnant  water.  We  pre- 
sumed, in  hurricanes  the  island  was  nearly  overflowed.  A> 
cording  to  the  best  calculations  I  could  make,  we  were  about 
thirty  five  miles  from  any  part  of  Cuba,  one  hundred  from 

"This  was  probably  erede<i  by  the  turtle  men  or  fishers,  wiM 
fiiit  these  islands  in  June,  for  the  purposes  of  their  trade. 


M  .: 


t  . 

i 

i    : 
I     : 


■'■  I 


1( 


VABBATITB  OF  CAPTAIlt    LlNCOLlf. 


>■■'■ 


Trinidad,  and  forty  from  the  URual  track  of  American  vet- 
■ela,  or  others  which  might  pass  that  way.  No  vessd  of  anjr 
considerable  size,  can  safely  pass  among  these  Keys  or 
"Queen's Gardens,''  (as  the  Spaniards  call  them)  beia^  ■ 
.arge  number  extending  from  Cape  Cruz  to  Trinidad,  ona 
hundred  and  fifty  miles  distance  ;  and  many  more  than  the 
charts  have  laid  down,  most  of  them  very  low  and  some  cov- 
ered at  high  water,  which  makes  it  very  dangerous  for  navi- 
gators without  a  skilful  pilot.  After  taking  this  view  of  our 
condition,  which  was  very  gloomy,  we  began  to  suspect  we 
were  left  on  this  desolate  island  by  those  merciless  plunder- 
ers to  perish.  Of  this  I  am  now  fully  convinced;  still  we  looked 
anxiously  for  the  pirate's  boat  to  come  according  to  promise 
with  more  water  and  provisions,  but  looked  in  vain.  We  saw 
them  soon  after  get  under  way  with  all  sail  set  and  run  direct- 
ly from  us  until  out  of  sight,  and  we  never  saw  them  again  ! 
One  may  partially  imagine  our  feelings,  but  they  cannot  be 
put  into  words.  Before  they  were  entirely  out  of  sight  of  us, 
we  raised  the  white  blanket  upon  a  pole,  waving  it  in  the  air, 
in  hopes,  that  at  two  miles  distance  they  would  see  it  and  be 
moved  to  pity.  But  pity  in  such  monsters  was  not  to  be  found. 
It  was  not  their  interest  to  save  us  from  the  lingering  death, 
which  we  now  saw  before  us.  We  tried  to  compose  our- 
selves, trusting  that  God,  who  had  witnessed  our  sufferings, 
would  yet  make  use  of  some  one,  as  the  instrument  of  his 
mercy  towards  us.  Our  next  care,  now,  was  to  try  for  water. 
We  dug  several  holes  in  the  sand  and  found  it,  but  quite  too 
salt  for  use.  The  tide  penetrates  probably  through  the  island. 
We  now  came  on  Aort  allowance  for  water.  Having  no 
means  of  securing  what  we  had  by  lock  and  key,  some  one  in 
the  night  would  slyly  drink,  and  it  was  soon  gone.  The  next 
was  to  bake  some  bread,  which  we  did  by  mixing  flour  with 
salt  water  and  frying  it  in  lard,  allowing  ourselves  eight  quite 
small  pancakes  to  begin  with.  The  Ham  was  reserved  for 
some  more  important  occasion,  and  the  salt  fish  was  lost  for 
want  of  fresh  water.  The  remainder  of  this  day  was  passed 
in  the  most  serious  conversation  and  reflection.  At  night,  I 
read  prayers  from  the  ''  Prayer  Book,"  before  mentioned 
which  I  most  carefully  concealed  while  last  on  board  the  pi- 
rates. This  plan  was  pursued  morning  and  evening,  during 
our  stay  there,  then  retired  for  rest  and  sleep,  but  realizea 
little  of  either. 

Monday,  '21  at. — In  the  morning  we  walked  round  the  beach 
in  expectation  of  finding  something  useful.     On  our  way 


WABEATirK   OF   CAPTAIM    LINOOLlf. 


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rioked  up  a  paddle  about  three  fnet  long,  very  similar  to  the 
ndian  canoe  paddle,  except  the  handle,  which  was  like  that 
of  a  shovel,  the  top  part  being  split  off,  we  laid  it  by  for  th« 
present.  We  likewise  found  .^onio  konchs  nnd  rofisted  them  ; 
they  were  a  pretty  good  shell  fisli,  though  ruthor  lou^li  Wo 
discovered  at  low  water,  a  bar  or  spit  of  sand  «;xtondinj;  north- 
easterly from  us,  about  three  mileo  distant,  to  a  cluster  of  Keys, 
which  were  covered  with  mangrove  trees,  perhaps  as  high  at 
our  quince  tree.  My  friend  Mr.  Bracket  and  George  attempt- 
ed to  wade  across,  being  at  that  time  of  tide  only  up  to  «heir 
armpits  ;  but  were  pursued  by  a  shark  and  returned  without 
success.     The  tide  rises  about  four  feet. 

Tuesday,  22d. — We  found  several  pieces  of 'he  palmetto  or 
cabbage  tree,  and  some  pieces  of  boards,  put  them  together  in 
the  form  of  a  rai),  and  endeavoured  to  cross,  but  that  proved 
nefTectual.  Being  disappointed,  we  sat  down  to  reflect  upon 
other  means  of  relief,  intending  to  do  all  in  our  power  for  our 
safety  while  our  strength  continued.  While  setting  here,  the 
sun  was  so  powerful  and  oppressive,  reflecting  its  ruys  upon 
the  sea,  which  was  then  calm,  and  the  white  snnd  which  uaz- 
sled  the  eye,  was  so  painful,  that  we  retired  under  the  awn- 
ing ;  there  the  moschetoes  and  flies  were  so  numerous,  that 
good  rest  could  not  be  found.  We  were,  however,  a  little 
cheered,  when,  in  scraping  out  the  top  of  the  ground  to  clear 
out,  I  may  say,  thousands  of  crickets  and  hugs,  we  found  a 
hatchet,  which  was  to  us  peculiarly  serviceable.  At  night 
the  strong  northeasterly  wind,  which  prevai.^s  thert^  a*,  all 
seasons,  was  so  cold  as  to  make  it  equally  uncomfo'-tabtf  with 
the  day.  Thus  day  afler  day,  our  suflerings  and  apprehen- 
sions multiplying,  we  were  very  generally  alarmed. 

Wednesday,  23d. — Early  this  morning  one  of  our  Spanish 
fellow  prisoners  crossed  the  bar,  having  taken  with  him  a  pole 
sharpened  at  one  end  ;  this  he  said  '*  was  to  kill  fharVs" — but 
he  saw  none  to  trouble  him.  While  he  was  gone,  we  tried 
for  water  in  several  places,  but  still  it  was  very  salt  ,  but  not 
having  any  other,  we  drank  it,  and  found  it  had  a  similar  effeci 
to  that  of  glauber  salts.  We  now  concluded  to  redure  the 
allowance  of  bread  or  rather  pancakes,  being  too  sennibie  that 
our  little  stock  of  provisions  could  last  but  a  few  days  longer  , 
we  had  the  faintest  hope  of  any  supplies,  before  it  would  b* 
too  late  to  save  life.  Towards  night  the  Spanrard  returned, 
but  f  irLv>--';  famished  for  want  of  water  and  food.  He  repr»rted 
that  lie  ro)>nd  some  plank  on  one  of  the  islands,  (but  they  proved 
to  be  ^ugt^r-box  shocks)  which  revived   us  a   little  j   but  do 


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33  WEST  MAI^*  STREET 

WfcaiTER,N.V.  M580 

(716)  37^-4503 


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IIA&ftATIYI    or    CiFTAlN    LINCOLIf 


HI" 


water.  He  said  he  had  great  difficulty  to  make  his  way 
through  the  mangrove  trees,  it  being  very  swampy  ;  so  that 
we  should  not  better  ourselves  by  going  there,  although  th« 
key  was  rather  larger  than  ours  This  I  understood  through 
Joseph,  the  English  prisoner  who  could  speak  Spanish.  After 
prayers,  laid  ourselves  down  upon  our  bed  of  sand,  and  being 
nearly  exhausted  we  obtained  some  sleep. 

Thursday,  24th. — This  morning,  after  taking  a  little  coffee, 
made  of  the  water  which  we  thought  least  salt,  and  two  orthiee 
of  the  little  cakes,  we  felt  somewhat  refreshed,  and  concluded 
to  make  another  visit  to  those  Keys  in  hopes  of  finding  some- 
thing more,  which  might  make  a  raft  for  us  to  escape  the  pi- 
ra  es,  and  avoic^  perishing  by  thirst.  Accordingly  seven  of 
us  set  off,  waded  across  the  bar  and  searched  all  the  Keys 
thereabou*'^  On  one  we  found  a  number  of  sugar-box  shooks, 
two  lashing  plank  and  some  pieces  of  old  sparfe,  which  were  a 
part  of  the  Exertion's  deck  load,  that  was  thrown  overboard 
when  she  grounded  on  the  bar,  spoken  of  in  the  first  part  of 
the  narrative. — It  seems  they  had  drifted  fifteen  miles,  and  had 
accidentally  lodged  on  these  very  Keys  within  our  reach.  Had 
the  pirates  known  this,  they  would  undoubtedly  have  placed 
•18  in  another  direction.  They  no  doubt  thought  that  they 
could  not  put  us  on  a  worse  place.  The  wind  at  this  time 
was  blowing  so  strong  on  shore,  as  to  prevent  rafting  our  stufT 
round  to  our  island,  and  we  were  obliged  to  haul  it  upon  the 
beach  for  the  present;  then  dug  for  water  in  the  highest  place, 
but  found  it  as  salt  as  ever,  and  then  returned  to  our  habita- 
tion, but  hunger  and  thirst  began  to  prey  upon  us,  and  our 
comforts  were  as  few  as  our  hopes. 

Friday,  2oth. — Again  passed  over  to  those  Keys  to  wind-* 
w^rd  in  order  to  raft  our  stuff  to  our  island,  it  being  most  con 
venient  for  building.  But  the  surf  on  the  beach  was  so  ver) 
rough,  that  we  were  again  compelled  to  postpone  it.  Out 
courage  however  did  not  fail  where  there  was  the  slighter', 
hopes  of  life.  Returning  without  it,  we  found  on  our  way  nn 
Oid  top  timber  of  some  vessel  ;  it  had  several  spikes  in  it, 
which  we  afterwards  found  very  serviceable.  In  the  hollow 
of  an  ohltree,  we  found  two  guarnas  of  small  size,  one  male, 
the  other  female.  One  only  wa<«  caught.  After  taking  off  the 
skin,  we  judged  it  weighed  a  pound  and  a  half  With  some 
flour  and  laid,  (the  only  things  wo  had  except  salt  water,)  it 
made  us  a  fine  little  mesa.  \Ve  thciught  it  a  rare  dish  though 
a  small  one  for  eleven  half  Ktarved  persons.  At  the  same 
jne  a  small  veosei  nove  m  sight  ;  wc  made  a  signal  to  hei 


1 1 


WAftkiTITK   OP    r«rTAIIS    LINCOLTf. 


19) 


16/ 


filth  the  blanket  tied  to  a  pole  and  placed  it  on  the  highest  tree 
— -•ome  took  off  their  white  clothes  and  waved  them  in  the  air, 
hoping  they  would  come  to  us  ;  should  they  be  piriitus  they 
could  do  no  more  than  kill  us,  and  perhaps  would  give  us 
some  water  for  which  we  began  to  sutfer  most  excessively  ; 
but,  notwithstanding  all  our  efforts,  she  took  no  notice  of  ui. 
Saturday,  26th . — This  day  commenced  with  moderate  weath- 
er and  smooth  sea;  at  low  tide  found  some  cockles,  boiled  and 
eat  them,  but  they  were  very  painful  to  the  stomach  David 
Warren  had  a  fit  of  strangliAg  with  swelling  of  the  bowels; 
but  soon  recovered,  and  said,  "  something  like  salt,  rose  in  hii 
throat  and  choaked  him."  Most  of  us  then  set  off  for  the 
Keys,  where  the  plank  and  shooks  were  put  together  in  a  raft, 
which  we  with  pieces  of  boards  paddled  over  to  our  island  ; 
when  we  consulted  the  best  plan,  either  to  build  a  raft  large 
enough  for  us  all  to  go  on,  or  a  boat;  but  the  shooks  having 
three  or  four  nails  in  each,  and  having  a  piece  of  large  reed  or 
bamboo,  previously  found,  of  which  we  made  pins,  concluded 
to  make  a  boat. 

Sunday,  27th, — Commenced  our  labor,  for  which  1  know  we 
need  offer  no  apology.  We  took  the  two  planks,  which  were 
about  fourteen  feet  long,  and  two  and  a  half  wide,  and  fixed 
them  together  for  the  bottom  of  the  boat;  then  with  moulds 
made  of  palmetto  bark,  cut  timber  and  knees  from  mangrove 
trees  which  spread  so  much  as  to  »niike  the  boat  four  feet  wide 
at  the  top,  placed  them  exactly  the  diytunce  apart  of  an  Ha- 
vana sugar-box.  Her  stern  was  square  and  the  bows  tapered 
to  a  peak,  making  her  form  resemble  a  flat-iron.  We  pro- 
ceeded thus  far  and  retired  to  rest  for  the  night — But  Mr. 
Bracket  was  too  unwell  to  get  much  sleep. 

Monday,  28th. — Went  on  with  the  work  as  fast  as  possible. 
Some  of  thei  Spaniards  had  long  knives  about  them,  which 
proved  very  useful  in  fitting  timbers,  and  a  gimblet  of  mine, 
accidentally  found  on  board  the  pirates,  enabled  us  to  use  the 
wooden  pins.  And  now  our  spirits  began  to  revive,  though 
water,  water,  was  continually  on  our  mik.ds.  We  now  feared 
iae  pirates  might  possibly  come,  find  out  our  plan  and  put  us  to 
death,  (although  before  we  had  wished  to  see  tltern,  being  so 
much  in  want  of  wator.)  Onr  labour  was  extremely  burden- 
some, and  the  Spaniards  considerably  peevish,  but  they 
would  often  say  to  me  "  never  m.nd  captain,  by  aiid  by  Amer- 
icana or  Spanyola  catch  them,  me  go  to  see  'um  hung."  W« 
quitted  work  for  the  day,  cooked  some  cakes  but  found  it 
aeccMary  to  reduce   the  quantity  again,  however  small  b*« 


11 

i 


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192 


HABRATITB  OF   CAPTAIN   LIlfOOUT. 


i  ^> 


fore.  We  found  some  herbti  on  a  windward  Key,  which  th« 
Spaniards  called  Spanish  tea.  This  when  well  boiled  we 
found  somewhat  palatable,  although  the  water  was  very  salt 
This  herb  resembles  pennyroyal  in  look  and  taste,  though  not 
io  pungent.  In  the  evening  when  we  were  setting  round  the 
fire  to  keep  off  the  moschetoes,  I  observed  David  Warren's 
eyes  shone  like  glass.  The  mate  said  to  him,  '^  David  I  think 
you  will  die  before  morning,  I  think  you  are  struck  with  death 
now."  I  thought  so  too,  and  told  him,  ^'  I  thought  it  most 
likely  we  should  all  die  here  socm;  but  as  some  one  of  us  may 
survive  to  carry  the  tidings  to  our  friends,  if  you  have  any 
thing  to  say  respecting  your  family,  now  is  the  time,"  He 
then  said,  ^'  I  have  a  mother  in  Saco  where  I  belong,  she  is  v 
second  time  a  widow,  to-morrow  if  you  can  spare  a  scrap  of 
paper  and  pencil  I  will  write  something."  But  no  to-morrow 
came  to  him .  In  the  course  of  the  night  he  had  another  spell 
of  strangling,  and  soon  afler  expired,  without  much  pain  and 
without  a  groan.  He  was  about  twenty-six  years  old.  How 
solemn  was  this  scene  to  us  !  Here  we  beheld  the  ravages  of 
death  commenced  upon  us.  More  than  one  of  us  considered 
death  a  happy  release  For  myseh  I  thought  of  my  wife  and 
children  ;  and  wished  to  live  if  God  should  so  order  it,  though 
extreme  thirst,  hunger  and  exhaustion  had  well  nigh  prostra- 
ted my  fondest  hopes. 

Tuesday,  29th.  Part  of  us  recommenced  labor  on  the  boat, 
while  myself  and  Mr.  Bracket  went  and  selected  the  highest 
clear  spot  of  sand  on  the  northern  side  of  the  island,  where 
we  dug  Warren's  grave  and  boxed  it  up  with  shooks,  thinking 
it  would  be  the  most  suitable  spot  for  the  rest  of  us — whose  turn 
would  come  next,  we  knew  not.  At  about  ten  o'clock  A.  M. 
conveyed  the  corpse  to  the  grave,  followed  by  us  survivon 
— a  scene,  whose  awful  solemnity  can  never  be  painted.  We 
stood  around  the  grave,  and  there  I  read  the  funeral  prayer 
from  tie  Rev.  Mr.  Brook's  Family  Pray>5ir  Book;  and  com« 
mitted  the  body  to  the  earth;  covered  it  with  some  pieces  of 
board  and  sand,  and  returned  to  nur  labor.  One  of  the  Span- 
iards, an  old  man,  named  Manuel,  who  was  partial  to  me,  and 
I  to  him,  made  a  cross  and  placed  at  the  head  of  the  grave 
aaying,  **  Jesus  Christ  hath  him  now."  Although  I  did  not 
believe  in  any  mysterious  influence  of  this  cross,  yet  I  waa 
perfectly  willing  it  should  stand  there.  The  middle  part  of 
the  day  being  very  warm,  our  mouths  parched  with  thirst,  an4 
ovrspiritg  so  depressed,  that  we  made  but  little  progress  4u 
ring  the  remainaer  of  this  day,  but  in  the  ereoing  wer«  %m 


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WABEATin   OF  CAPTAI/f   LllfCOUI. 


193 


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ployed  in  picking  oakuia  out  of  the  bolt  rope  taken  from  the 
old  sail 

Wednesday)  SOth.  Returned  to  laboi  on  the  boat  with  as 
much  vigour  as  our  weak  and  debilitated  state  would  admit, 
but  it  was  a  day  of  trial  to  us  all  ;  for  the  Spaniards  and  we 
Americans  could  not  well  understand  each  other's  plans,  and 
they  being  naturally  petulent  would  rot  work,  nor  listen  with 
patience  for  Joseph  our  £nglish  fell  jw  prisoner  to  explain  our 
views,  vhey  would  sometimes  undo  >vhat  they  had  done  and  in 
a  few  minutes  replace  it  again;  however  before  night  we  began 
to  calk  her  seams,  by  means  of  pieces  of  hard  mangrove, 
made  in  form  of  a  calking-ircn,  and  had  the  satisfaction  of 
seeing  her  in  a  form  something  like  a  boat. 

Thursday,  31st.  Went  on  with  the  work,  some  at  calking, 
others  with  battening  the  seams  with  strips  of  canvass,  and 
'eces  of  pine  nailed  over,  to  keep  the  oakum  in.  Having 
lound  a  suitable  pole  for  a  mast,  the  rest  went  about  making  a 
sail  from  the  one  we  had  used  for  a  covering,  also  fitting  oars 
of  sh^./t  pieces  of  boards,  in  form  of  a  paddle,  tied  on  a  pole, 
we  having  a  piece  of  fishing  line  brought  by  one  of  the  prison- 
ers. Thus,  at  three  P.  M.  the  boat  was  completed  and  put 
afloat.  We  had  all  thia  time  confidently  hoped,  that  she 
would  be  sufficiently  large  and  strong  to  carry  us  all — we 
made  a  trial  and  were  disappointed  !  This  was  indeed  a 
severe  trial,  and  the  emotions  it  called  up  were  not  easy  to  be 
suppressed.  She  proved  leaky,  for  we  had  no  ca:'penter's 
yard,  or  smith's  shop  to  go  to.  And  now  the  questiois  was, 
**  who  should  go,  and  how  many  .''*'  I  found  it  necessary  for 
six;  four  to  row,  and  one  to  steer  und  one  to  bale  Three  of 
the  Spaniards  and  the  Frenchmen  claimed  the  right,  as  being 
best  acquainted  with  the  nearest  inhabitants;  likewise,  they 
had  when  taken,  two  boats  left  at  St.  Maria  (about  forty  miles 
distant)  which  they  were  confident  of  finding.  They  prom- 
tsed  to  return  wHhin  two  or  three  days  for  the  rest  r  '  \18,  I 
'i  ought  it  best  to  «orscnl-~Mr.  Bracket  it  was  agree<  cr^ould 
g:  in  my  stead,  because  my  papers  must  accompany  me  as  a 
necessary  protection,  and  my  men  apprehended  danger  if  they 
were  lost.  Joseph  Baxter  (I  think  was  his  name)  they  wished 
should  go,  because  he  could  speak  both  languages — leaving 
3Ianuel,  George,  Thomas  and  myself  to  wait  their  return. 
Having  thus  made  all  arrangements,  and  putting  up  a  keg  of 
the  least  salt  water,  with  a  faw  pancakes  and  salt  fish,  they 
■et  off  a  little  before  sunset  with  our  best  wishes  and  prayers 
fi»y  their  safety  and  return  to  our  relief     To  launch  off  iote 

▼OL.    I.  t 


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194 


//. 


KAftRATirB   OP   CAPTAIN    LfNCOLlf. 


the  wide  oceaii)  with  strength  almost  exhausted,  and  in  suck 
a  frail  boat  as  this,  you  will  say  was  very  hazardous,  and  in 
truth  it  was;  but  what  else  was  leu  to  uh  ? — Their  intention 
was  to  touch  at  the  Key  where  the  Exertion  was,  and  if  no 
boat  was  to  be  found  there,  to  proceed  on  to  St.  Maria  and  if 
none  there,  to  go  to  Trinidad  and  send  us  (eiief  But  alan  ! 
it  was  the  last  time  I  ever  saw  them  ! — Our  duffering  tht&  d«j 
was  most  acute.  *-    ' 

Tuesday,  February  Ist.  This  day  we  rose  eaii)  riud  irav- 
!)rsed  the  beach  in  search  of  cockles,  &c.  but  found  v»irv  ^ow 
— I  struck  my  foot  against  something  in  the  aand,  ^hich 
proved  to  be  a  curious  shell,  and  soon  found  two  others  of  a 
different  kind;  but  they  were  to  me  like  Crusoe's  lump  of 
gold  of  no  value.  I  could  not  drink  them;  ^lu  iaid  them  by. — 
I  returned  to  our  tent  and  we  made  some  skiHygolee,  or  flour 
and  salt  water  boiled  together,  which  we  kiu.'id  better  than 
clear  salt  water.  We  passed  the  day  very  ancomfort/  ^, 
and  my  people  were  dissatisfied  at  not  having  an  equal  chance 
as  they  called  it,  with  the  others  in  the  boat — but  it  is  not 
always,  that  we  know  what  is  for  o.ur  good. 

Saturday,  2d.  Thomas  and  George  made  another  visit  to 
the  windward  Keys,  where  they  found  some  more  shooks  and 
two  pieces  of  spars;  towed  them  round  as  before  We  now 
had  some  hopes  of  finding  enough  to  make  us  a  rafl,  which 
would  carry  us  to  some  place  of  relief,  in  case  the  boat  should 
not  return 

Sunday,  3d.  A  calm  warm  day,  but  a  very  gloomy  one  to 
us,  it  being  more  difhcult  to  support  life — our  provisions  nearly 
expended,  no  appearance  of  rain  since  the  night  we  first  landed, 
our  thirst  increasing,  our  strengtii  wasting,  our  few  clothes 
hanging  in  rags,  our  beards  of  great  length  and  almost  turned 
white,  nothing  like  relief  before  us,  no  bofit  in  sight.  Think, 
reader,  our  situation.  Wo  had  marked  out  for  each  one  the 
place  for  his  grave.  I  looked  at  mine,  and  thought  of  my  wife 
and  family.  Again  we  reduced  the  allowance  of  bread;  but 
even  the  little  which  now  fell  to  my  share,  I  could  scarcely 
■wallow,  I  never  seemed  to  feel  the  sensation  of  hunger,  the 
(extreme  of  thirst  was  so  overpowering.  Perhaps  never  shall 
I  be  more  reconciled  to  death,  but  my  home  made  me  want  to 
live,  although  every  breath  seemed  to  increase  thirst. 

Monday,  4th.  Having  seriously  reflected  on  our  situation 
concluded  io  put  all  the  shooks,  kc.  together  and  form  a  raft 
and  ascertain  what  weight  it  would  carry;  but  here  again  w« 
were  disappointed,  for  we  had  not  enough  to  carry  two  of  Uf 


jrAEftATin  ov  cimiN  LirrcoLif. 


1»5 


TueMaj)  6th.  About  ten  o'clock,  A.  M.  discovered  a  boat 
drifting  by  on  the  southeast  side  of  the  island  about  a  mile 
distant.  I  d'  3med  it  a  providential  thing  to  us,  and  urgeo 
Thomaa  and  George  trying  the  :aft  for  her.  They  reluct- 
antly consented  and  set  off,  but  it  was  nearly  three  P.  M. 
when  they  came  up  with  her.  It  was  the  same  boat  we  had 
:uilt !  Where  then  was  my  friend  Bracket  and  those  who 
went  with  him  ?  Every  appearance  was  unfavourable  I 
hoped  that  a  good  Providence  had  yet  preserved  him.  The 
men  who  went  for  the  boat,  found  it  full  of  water,  without  oars, 
paddle,  or  sail ;  being  in  this  condition,  and  about  three  miles 
to  the  leeward,  the  men  found  it  impossible  to  tow  her  up,  so 
lefl  her,  and  were  till  eleven  o'clock  at  night  getting  back 
with  the  rail.  They  were  so  exhausted,  that  had  it  not  been 
nearly  calm,  they  could  never  have  returned. 

Wednesday,  6th.  This  morning  was  indeed  the  most 
gloomy  I  had  ever  experienced.  There  appeared  hardly  a 
ray  of  hope  that  my  friend  Bracket  could  return,  seeing  the 
boat  was  lost.  Our  provisions  nearly  gone;  our  mouths 
parched  extremely  with  thirst  ;  our  strength  wasted;  our  spir- 
its broken,  and  our  hopes  imprisoned  within  the  circumfer- 
ence of  this  desolate  isUnd  in  the  midst  of  an  unfrequented 
ocean;  all  these  things  gave  to  the  scene  around  us  the  hue 
of  death.  In  the  midst  of  this  dreadful  despondence,  a  sail 
aove  in  sight,  bearing  the  white  flag.  Our  hopes  were  raised, 
of  course — but  no  sooner  raised  then  darkened,  by  hearing  a 
gun  fired.  Here  then  was  another  gang  of  pirates.  She  soon, 
however,  came  near  enough  to  anchor,  and  her  boat  pushed 
ofT  towards  us  with  three  men  in  her.  Thinking  it  no  worse 
now  to  die  by  sword  than  famine  I  walked  down  immediately 
to  meet  them.  I  knew  them  not.  A  moment  before  the  boat 
toucned  the  ground,  a  man  leaped  from  her  bows  »nd  csught 
me  in  his  arms  !  It  was  Nickola  !  ! — sayisg,  "  Do  you  aow 
believe  Nickola  is  your  friend  ?  yes,  said  he,  Jameison  will 
yet  prove  himself  so." — No  words  can  express  my  emotions 
at  this  moment.  This  was  a  friend  indeed.  The  reason  of 
my  not  recognising  them  before,  was  that  they  had  cut  oflf 
theii  beards  and  whiskers.  Turning  to  my  fellow-sufferers, 
Nickola  asked,  "  Are  these  all  that  are  left  of  you  }  where 
are  the  others  ?"  At  this  moment  seeing  David's  grave— 
"Are  they  dead  then  ?  ah,  I  suspected  it,  I  know  what  you 
were  put  here  for."  As  soon  as  I  could  recover  myself,  gave 
him  an  account  of  Mr.  Bracket  and  the  others.  ^'  How  unfor- 
tanata,  he  said,  they  must  be  lost  or  some  pirates  have  takes 


•il 


■  I         ' 


MP 


'ft  JIABftATITB  OF   CAFTAIN   LINCOT.IV. 

II- 

Aem"— **but,  (he  continued,)  we  have  no  time  to  lose;  yo»2 
had  better  embark  immediately  with  us,  and  go  where  you 
please,  we  are  at  your  service."  The  other  two  in  the  boat 
with  him  were  Frenchmen,  one  named  Lyon,  the  other  Par- 
rikete.  They  affectionately  embraced  each  of  us;  then  hold- 
ing to  my  mouth  the  nose  of  a  teakettle,  filled  with  wine,  said 

'  Drink  plenty,  no  hurt  you."  I  drank  as  much  as  I  judged 
prudent  They  then  gave  it  to  my  fellow  sufferers.  1  oxpe* 
rienced  almost  immediate  relief,  not  feeling  it  in  my  head; 
they  had  also  brought  in  the  boat  for  us,  a  di^h  of  salt  beef 
and  potatoes,  of  which  we  took  a  little.  Then  sent  the  boat 
on  board  for  the  other  two  men,  being  five  in  all  who  came 
ashore,  and  rejoiced  enough  was  I  to  see  among  them  Thom- 
as Young,  one  of  my  crew,  who  was  detained  on  board  the 
Mexican,  but  had  escaped  through  Nickola's  means;  the  other 
R  Frenchman,  named  John  Cadedt.  I  now  thought,  again 
and  again,  with  troubled  emotion,  of  my  friend  Bracket's  fate 
— I  took  the  last  piece  of  paper  I  had,  and  wrote  with  a  pencil 
a  few  lines,  informing  him  (should  he  come  there,)  that  ''  I 
and  the  rest  were  sa^;  that  I  was  not  mistaken  in  the  friend 
in  whom  I  had  placed  so  much  confidence,  that  he  had  accom> 
plished  my  highest  expectations;  and  that  I  shoul.i  go  imme- 
diately to  Trinidad,  and  requested  him  to  go  there  also,  and 
apply  to  Mr.  Isaac  W.  Lord,  my  consignee,  for  assistance."  1 
put  the  paper  into  a  junk  bottle,  previously  found  on  the 
beach,  put  in  a  stopper,  and  lefl  it,  together  with  what  little 
flour  remained,  a  keg  of  water  brought  from  Nickola's  vessel, 
and  a  few  other  things  which  I  though!,  might  be  of  service  to 
him.  We  then  repaired  with  our  friends  on  board,  where  we 
were  kindly  treated.  She  was  a  sloop  from  Jamaica,  of  about 
twelve  tons,  with  a  cargo  of  rum  and  wine,  bound  to  Trin- 
idad. I  asked  "  which  way  they  intended  to  go  ?"  *^®y  "^^^ 
"to  Jamaica — if  agreeable  to  me."  As  I  preferred  Trini- 
dad, I  told  them  "  if  they  would  give  me  the  Exertion's 
boat,  which  was  along-side  (beside  their  own,)  and  some 
water  and  provisions,  we  would  take  chance  in  her,"  ".for 
perhaps,  said  I,  you  will  fare  better  at  Jamaica,  than  at  Trin- 
idad." After  a  few  minutes  consultation,  they  said  "  you  are 
too  much  exhausted  to  row  the  distance  of  one  hundred  miles, 
therefore  we  will  go  and  carry  you — we  consider  ourselves 
at  youi  service."  I  expressed  a  wish  to  take  a  look  at  the 
Exertion,  possibly  we  might  hear  something  of  Mr.  Bracket. 
Nickola  said  "very  well,"  so  got  under  way,  and  run  for  her, 
iMTtBf  »  lifht  westerly  wmd.     He  then  related  to  me  the 


HABKATITI  OF   CAPTAIN    LINCOLN. 


197 


onanner  of  their  desertioo  from  the  pirates;  as  nearly  as  I  can 
i-ecollect  his  own  words,  he  said,  "  A  lew  days  since,  th(;  pi- 
rates took  four  small  vessels,  I  helicvn  Spaniards;  they  havinf^ 
but  two  officers  for  the  two  Hist,  tho  third  tell  to  me  as  prize 
master,  and  having  an  understanding;  with  the  three  PVench- 
men  and  Thomas,  selected  them  for  my  crew,  and  went  on 
board  with  orders  to  follow  the  Mexican;  which  1  obeyed. 
The  fourth,  the  pirates  took  out  all  but  one  man  and  bade 
him  also  follow  their  vessel.  Now  our  schooner  leaked  so 
bad,  that  we  left  her  and  in  her  stead  agreed  to  take  this  little 
sloop,  (which  we  are  now  in)  together  with  the  one  man.  The 
night  being  very  dark  we  all  agreed  to  desert  the  pirates — 
altered  our  course  and  touched  at  St.  Maria,  where  we  landed 
the  one  man — saw  no  boats  there,  could  hear  nothing  from  you, 
and  agreed  one  and  all  at  the  risk  of  our  lives  to  come  and  lib- 
erate you  if  you  were  ali^'e;  knowing,  as  we  did,  that  you 
were  put  on  this  Key  to  perish.  On  our  way  we  boarded  the 
Exertion,  thinking  possibly  you  might  have  been  there.  On 
board  her  we  found  a  sail  and  paddle.*  We  took  one  of  the 
pirate's  boats  which  they  had  left  along-side  of  her,  which 
proves  how  we  come  by  two  boats.  My  friend,  the  circum- 
stance I  am  now  about  to  relate,  will  somewhat  astonish  you. 
When  the  pirate's  boat  with  Bolidar  was  sent  to  the  before 
mentioned  Key,  on  the  19th  January,  it  was  their  intention  to 
leave  you  prisoners  there,  where  was  nothing  but  salt  water 
and  mangroves,  and  no  possibility  of  escape.  This  was  the 
plan  of  Baltizar,  their  abandoned  pilot;  but  Bolidar's  heart  fail- 
ed him,  and  he  objected  to  it;  then  after  a  conference.  Captain 
Jonnia  ordered  you  to  be  put  on  the  little  island  from  whence 
we  have  taken  you.  But  after  this  was  done,  that  night  the 
French  and  Portuguese  part  of  the  Mexican's  crew  protested 
against  it  ;  so  that  Captain  Jonnia  to  satisfy  them,  sent  his 
large  boat  to  take  you  and  your  fellow  prisoners  back  again, 
taking  care  to  select  his  coiiiidential  Spaniards  for  this  errand. 
And  will  you  believe  me,  they  set  off  from  the  Mexican  and 
after  spending  about  as  much  time  as  would  really  have  taken 
them  to  come  to  you,  they  returned,  and  reported  they  had 
been  to  your  island,  and  landed,  and  that  none  of  you  were 
there;  somebody  having  taken  you  off!  This,  all  my  com- 
panions here  know  to  be  true,  I  knew  it  was  impossible 
you  could  have  been  liberated,  and  therefore  we  determined 


li 


*Thi8  ])roved  to  me  that  Mr.  Bracket  had  been  there,  theae  bt 
iag  the  oae»  which  he  took  from  the  island. 


IM 


HASEATITB   OF    CAPTAIFf    LINCOLIf 


among  ounelweUy  thai  should  au  opportunity  occur  we  woijld 
conne  and  save  your  lives,  as  we  now  have/'  He  then  ex- 
pressed, us  he  hitherto  had  done,  (and  I  believe  with  sincer 
ity)  his  disgust  with  the  bad  company  which  he  had  been  in, 
and  looked  forward  with  anxiety  to  the  day  when  he  might 
return  to  his  native  country.  I  advised  him  to  get  on  board 
an  Ainerican  vessel,  whenever  an  opportunity  offered,  and 
come  t(»  the  United  States;  and  on  his  arrival  direct  a  letter  to 
met  repeating  my  earnest  desire  to  make  some  return  for  the 
disinterested  friendship  which  ho  had  shown  toward  me.  With 
the  Frenchmen"  1  had  but  liitle  conversation,  being  unac- 
quainted with  the  language 

Here  ended  Nickola's  account  **  And  now,"  said  the 
Frenchmen,  "  our  hearts  be  easy."  Nickola  observed  he  had 
lefl  all  and  found  us.  1  gave  them  my  warmest  tribute  of 
gratitude,  saying,  I  looked  upon  them  under  God  as  the  preser- 
ver of  our  lives,  and  promised  them  all  the  assistance  my 
situation  might  ever  enable  me  to  afibrd.      This  brings  me  to 

Thursday  evening,  7th,  when,  at  1 1  o'clock,  we  anchor- 
ed at  the  creek's  mouth,  near  the  Exertion.  I  was  anxious 
to  board  her;  accordingly  took  with  me  Nickola,  Thomas, 
George  and  two  others,  well  arrried,  eacii  with  a  musket  and 
cutlass.  I  jumped  on  her  deck,  saw  a  fire  in  the  camboose, 
but  no  person  there:  I  called  aloud  Mr.  Btdcket's  name  sev- 
eral times,  KRving  "  it  is  Captain  Lincoln,  don't  be  afraid,  but 
show  yours  but  no  answer  was  given.     She  had  no  masts, 

spars,  rigging,  furniture,  provisions  or  any  thing  lefl,  except 
her  bowsprit,  and  a  few  barrels  of  salt  provisions  of  her  cargo. 
Her  sealing  had  holes  cut  in  it,  no  doubt  in  their  foolish  search 
for  money.  I  lefl  her  with  peculiar  emotions,  such  as  I  hope 
never  again  to  experience;  and  returned  to  the  little  sloop, 
where  we  remained  till 

Friday,  8th — When  1  had  a  disposition  to  visit  the  island 
on  which  we  were  first  imprisoned.  Found  nothing  there — 
saw  a  boat  among  the  mangroves,  near  the  Exertion.  Re- 
turned, and  got  under  way  immediately  for  Trinidad.  la  the 
night,  while  under  full  sail,  run  aground  on  a  sunken  Key, 
having  rocks  above  the  water,  resembling  old  stumps  of  trees; 
we,  however,  soon  got  ofTand  anchored.  Most  of  these  Keys 
have  similar  rocks  about  them,  which  navigators  must  care- 
'ully  guard  against.   "  '^ 

Saturday,  9th. — Got  under  way  again,  and  stood  along 
close  in  for  the  main  island  of  Cuba,  in  order,  that  if  W0 
dboliid  ■••  th«  pirates,  to  take  our  boato  and  go  on  short 


IfAnRATiri   or   CAfTAlN    LINCOLII 


I9d 


Sunday,  10th.  Saw  the  highlands  of  Trinidad.  At  night 
came  to  anchor  in  sight  of  the  town,  near  a  Bmall  Key,  next 
morning — 

Monday,  1 1th, — Got  under  way — saw  a  brig  at  anchor  about 
five  miles  below  the  mouth  of  the  harbor;  we  hoped  to  avoid 
her  speaking  us;  hut  wlun  \\v  (tpened  in  sight  of  her,  discov- 
ered a  boat  making  towards  ms,  with  a  number  of  armed  men 
m  her.  This  alarmed  my  friends,  and  as  we  did  not  see  the 
brig's  ensign  hoisted,  ihejt  declared  the  boat  was  a  pirate, 
and  looking  through  the  spy-glass,  thought  they  knew  some 
of  them  to  be  the  Mexican's  men  !  'Qjis  state  of  things  was 
quite  alarming.  They  said,  *'  we  will  not  be  taken  alive  by 
them."  Immediately  the  boat  fired  a  musket;  the  ball  passed 
through  our  mainsail.  My  friends  insisted  on  beating  them  off: 
I  endeavored  to  dissuade  them,  believing,  as  I  did,  that  the 
brig  was  a  Spanish  man  of  war,  who  had  sent  her  boat  to  as- 
certain who  we  were.  1  thought  we  had  better  heave  too. 
Immediately  another  shot  c\iie.  Then  they  insisted  on 
fighting  and  said,  '*  If  I  would  not  help  them,  I  was  no 
friend."  I  reluctantly  acquiesced,  and  handed  up  the  guns — 
commenced  firing  upon  them  and  they  upon  us.  VVe  received 
several  shot  through  the  sail.-^,  but  no  one  was  hurt  on  either 
side.  Our  two  boats  had  been  cast  adrill  to  make  us  go  the 
faster,  and  we  gained  upon  them — continued  tiring  until  they 
turned  from  us,  and  went  for  our  boats,  which  they  took  in  tow 
for  the  brig.  Soon  after  this,  it  became  calm:  then  I  saw 
that  she  had  us  in  her  power.  She  armed  and  manned  two 
more  boats  for  us.  VVe  now  concluded,  since  we  had  scarce- 
ly ammunition,  to  surrender;  and  were  towed  down  along- 
side the  brig,  taken  on  board,  and  was  asked  by  the  captain, 
who  could  speak  English,  "  what  for  you  fire  on  the  boat. ^" 
I  told  him  "we  thought  her  a  pirate,  and  did  not  like  to  be  taken 
by  them  again,  having  already  suffered  too  much;"  showing 
my  papers.  He  said,  "  Capt.  Americana,  never  mind,  go  and 
take  some  dinner — which  are  your  men?"  I  pointed  them  out 
to  him,  and  he  ordered  them  the  liberty  of  the  decks;  but  my 
friend  Nickola  and  his  three  associates  were  immediately  put 
in  irons.  They  were,  however,  afterwards  taken  out  of  irons 
and  examined;  and  I  understood  the  Frenchmen  agreed  to 
enlist,  as  they  judged  it  the  surest  way  to  better  their  condi- 
tion. Whether  Nickola  enlisted,  I  do  not  know,  but  think  that 
he  did,  as  1  understood  that  offer  was  made  to  him:  1  howev- 
er endeavored  to  explain  more  distinctly  to  the  captain,  the  be- 
nevolent efforts  of  these  four  men  by  whom  my  life  had  been 


too 


NARRAtlVE    OP    CAPTAIN    LINCOLIT 


sairefi,  and  u»ed  every  argument  in  my  power  to  procure  then 
discharge.  1  alao  applied  to  the  governor,  and  exerted  my&elf 
with  peculiar  intereot,  dictated  as  I  trust  with  heartfelt  grati- 
tude— and  I  ardently  hope  ere  this,  that  Nickola  is  '^n  his  way 
to  this  country,  where  I  may  Imve  an  opportunity  of  con- 
irincinff  him  that  such  an  act  of  henevolence  will  not  go  unre- 
warded. Previous  to  my  leaving  Trinidad,  I  made  all  the 
arrangements  in  my  power  with  my  influential  friends,  and 
doubt  not,  that  their  laudable  eflTorts  will  be  accomplished. 
The  sloop^s  cargo  was  taken  on  board  the  brig;  after  which 
the  captain  requested  a. certificate  that  I  was  politely  treatec' 
by  him,  saying  his  name  was  Captain  Candama,  of  the  priva- 
teer brig  Prudentee  of  eighteen  guns.  This  request  1  com- 
plied with.  His  first  lieutenant  told  me  he  had  sailed  out  of 
Boston,  as  commander  for  T.  C.  Amory,  Esq.  during  the  last 
war.  In  the  course  of  the  evening  my  friends  were  taken 
out  of  irons  and  examined  separately,  then  put  back  again. 
The  captain  invited  me  to  supper  in  his  cabin,  and  a  berth  for 
the  night,  which  was  truly  acceptable.  The  next  morning  af- 
ter breakfast,  I  with  my  people  were  set  on  shore  with  the  few 
things  we  had,  with  the  promise  of  the  Exertion's  small  boat 
in  a  day  or  two.  But  it  was  never  sent  me — the  reason,  let  the 
reader  imagine.  On  landing  at  the  wharf  Casildar,  we  were 
immediately  taken  by  soldiers  to  the  guard  house,  which  was 
a  Yery  filthy  place ;  thinking  I  suppose,  and  even  calling  us 
pirates.  Soon  some  friends  came  to  see  me.  Mr,  Cotton, 
who  resides  there  brought  us  some  soup.  Mr.  Isaac  W.  Lord, 
of  Boston,  my  merchant,  came  with  captain  Tate,  who  sent 
immediately  to  the  governor;  for  I  would  not  show  my  papers 
to  any  one  else.  He  came  about  sunset,  and  afler  examining 
Mam! el,  my  Spanish  fellow  prisoner,  and  my  papers,  said  to 
me,  giving  me  the  papers,  "  Captain,  you  are  at  liberty.''  ! 
was  kindly  invited  by  Captain  Matthew  Rice,  of  schooner 
Galaxy,  of  Boston,  to  go  on  board  his  vessel,  and  live  with 
him  during  my  stay  there.  This  generous  offer  I  accepted, 
and  was  treated  by  him  with  the  greatest  hospita'ity;  for  I  wag 
an  hungered  and  he  gave  me  meat,  I  was  athirst  and  he  gave 
me  drink,  I  was  naked  and  he  clothed  me,  a  stranger  and  he 
took  me  in.  He  likewise  took  Manuel  and  my  three  men  for 
that  night.  Next  day  Mr.  Lord  rendered  me  all  necessary 
assistance  in  making  my  ])rotest.  He  had  heard  nothing  from 
me  until  my  arrival.  I  was  greatly  disappointed  in  not  finding 
Mr,  Bracket,  and  requested  Mr.  Lord  to  give  him  all  needful 
■id  if  he  should  come  there.     To  Captain   Games,  of  the 


V  -^  *»♦»»  ■ 


■  AEifcATlVB    or    CaFTAIN     LINCOLN 


tot 


•cloonei  Ha&nah,  of  Button,  I  would  tender  my  sincora 
thankb)  for  bin  kindness  in  giving  me  a  passage  to  Boston, 
which  I  gladly  accepted.  To  those  gentlemen  of  Trinidad, 
and  man^'  captains  of  American  vessels,  wiio  gave  me  sea 
clothing,  &.C.  I  offer  my  cordial  gratitude. 

Captain  Carncs  sailed  from  Trinidad  on  the  'iOth  February. 
Fearing  the  pirates,  we  kept  a  long  distance  from  the  land 
and  two  degrees  to  westward  of  Cape  Antonia.  On  our  pas* 
sage  experienced  several  gales  of  wind,  in  one  of  which, 
while  lying  to,  shipped  a  sea,  which  did  considerable  injury, 


and  swept  a  young  man  overboard  from  the  pump,  named 
JN'elson.  We  never  saw  him  again.  We  arrived  at  Bostor , 
March  25th,  and  when  I  stepped  upon  the  wharf,  thoug.i 
much  emaciated,  I  felt  truly  hapny. 

I  am  fully  of  the  opinion  that  these  ferocious  pirates  are  link- 
ed in  with  many  inhabitants  of  Cuba  ;  and  the  government  in 
many  respects  appears  covertly  to  encourage  them. 

It  is  with  heartfelt  delight,  that,  -vnce  the  above  narrative 
was  written,  I  have  learned  that  Mr.   Bracket  and  his  com- 

fianions  are  safe  ;  he  arrived  at  Port  d'Esprit,  about  forty 
eagueg  east  of  Trinidad.  A  letter  has  been  received  ti'om 
him,  stating  that  he  should  proceed  to  Trinidad  the  first  oppor- 
tunity.  It  appears  that  after  reaching  the  wreck,  they  found 
a  boat  from  the  shore,  taking  on  board  some  of  the  Exertion *s 
cargo,  in  which  they  proceeded  to  tiie  above  place.  Why  it 
was  not  in  his  power  to  come  to  our  relief  will  no  doubt  be 
satisfactorily  disclosed  when  he  may  be  so  fortunate  as  once 
more  to  return  to  his  native  country  and  friends. 

For  many  months,  I  remained  without  any  certain  infor- 
mation respecting  the  fate  of  Mr.  Bracket  and  bis  companions. 
But  in  the  course  of  the  ensuing  Autumn,  if  I  recollect  right, 
Mr.  Bracket  very  unexpectedly  paid  me  a  visit,  at  Hingham, 
the  place  of  my  residence.  We  were  mutually  rejoiced  to  see 
each  other  once  more  among  the  living,  as  for  a  time  at  least, 
aach  had  regarded  the  other  as  dead.  He  gave  me  an  ac- 
count of  his  adventures,  and  of  the  reasons  why  he  did  not 
return  to  us.  He  told  me  that  when  they  left  us,  and  put  to 
sea,  in  the  miserable  boat  which  we  had  constructed,  they 
went  to  the  Exertion,  and  fortunately  found  a  better  boat,  of 
which  they  took  possession,  and  suffered  the  old  one  to  float 
away,  and  it  accordingly  passed  our  solitary  island  in  its  ran- 
doi  1  course,  causing  us  a  great  deal  of  alarm.  From  the  wreck, 
they  steered  among  the  keys  to  the  main-land  of  Cuba,  and 
reached  Principe,  th3  town  where  my  cargo  was  sold.     Hete 

VOL.   I.  9* 


m* 


Sdt 


MAAAATITi    OP   CAmUV    LINCOUI. 


Mr.  Bracket;  related  his  tale  of  suffering,  and  requested  assis* 
tance,  to  rescue  the  remaining  prisoners  on  the  key.  The 
authorities  furnished  him  with  several  soldiers,  with  whom  he 
put  again  to  sea,  with  the  humane  intention  of  coming  to  relieve 
us.  They  had  gone  but  a  short  distance,  however,  when  the 
soldiers  positively  refused  to  go  any  farther,  and  forced  him  to 
return  with  them  3  Principe  ;  thus  all  his  hopes  of  being 
able  to  rescue  us,  were  entirely  extinguished.  A  stranger, 
and  helpless  as  he  was,  it  was  out  of  his  power  to  do  any  thing 
more,  and  he  could  only  hope  that  we  might  have  been  saved 
in  some  other  way.  Friendless,  without  money,  and  debili- 
tated by  recent  suffering,  he  hardly  knew  which  way  to  turn. 
He  was  desirous  of  reaching  home,  and  finally  resolved  to 
travel  to  the  north  side  of  Cuba.  After  a  long  and  tedious 
journey,  during  which  he  suffered  dreadfully,  from  the  hard 
traveling,  and  want  of  necessaries  and  comforts,  he  at  length 
arrived  at  Havana,  from  which  port  he  took  passage  to  Bos- 
ton. Thus  the  reasons  of  his  conduct  were  satisfactorily  ex- 
plained, and  my  uncertainty  respecting  his  fate,  happily  ter- 
minated 

I  felt  great  anxiety  to  learn  what  became  of  Jamieson,  who, 
my  readers  will  recollect,  was  detained  on  board  the  Spanish 
Brig  Prudentee,  near  Trinidad.  I  heard  nothing  from  him, 
until  I  believe  about  eighteen  months  after  I  reached  home, 
when  I  received  a  letter  from  him,  from  Montego  Bay, 
Jamacia,  informing  me  that  he  was  then  residing  in  that 
island.  I  immediately  wrote  to  him,  and  invited  him  to  come 
on  to  the  United  States.  He  accordingly  came  on  passenger 
with  Capt.  Wilson  of  Cohasset,  and  arrived  in  Boston,  in 
August  1824.  Our  meeting  was  very  affecting.  Trying 
scenes  were  brought  up  before  us ;  scenes  gone  forever, 
through  which  we  had  passed  together,  where  our  acquaint- 
ance was  formed,  and  since  which  time,  we  had  never  met.  I 
beheld  once  more  the  preserver  of  my  life  ;  the  instrument, 
under  Providence,  of  restoring  me  to  ray  home,  my  family  and 
my  friends,  and  I  regarded  him  with  no  ordinary  emotion. 
My  family  were  delighted  to  see  him,  and  cordially  united  in 
giving  h\m  a  warm  reception.  He  told  me  that  after  we  sepa- 
rated in  Trinidad,  he  remained  on  board  the  Spanish  Brig 
The  commander  asked  him  and  his  companions  if  they  would 
enUst  ;  the  Frenchmen  replied  that  they  would,  but  he  said 
nothing,  being  determined  to  make  his  escape  the  very  first 
opportunity  which  should  present.  The  Spanish  Brig  after- 
wards fell  in  with  a  Columbian  Patriot,  an  armed  Brig  of 


WABRATITB    OF    CAPTAIN    LINCOLN. 


203 


eighteen  guns.  Being  of  equal  force,  they  gave  battle,  and 
fought  between  three  and  four  hourii.  Both  parties  were  very 
much  injured  ;  and,  without  any  considerable  advantage  on 
either  side,  both  drew  off  to  make  repairs.  The  Spanish  Brig 
Prudentee,  put  into  St.  Jago  de  Cuba.  Jamieson  was 
wounded  in  the  action,  by  a  musket  ball,  through  his  arm,  and 
was  taken  on  shore,  with  the  other  wounded,  and  placed  in 
the  hospital  at  St.  Jago.  Here  he  remained  for  a  considerable 
time,  until  he  had  nearly  recovered,  when  he  found  an  oppor- 
tunity of  escaping,  and  embarked  for  Jamaica.  He  arrived 
in  safety  at  Kingston,  and  from  there,  traveled  barefoot  over 
the  mountains,  until  very  much  exhausted^  he  reached  Mon- 
tego  Bay,  where  he  had  friends,  and  where  one  of  his  brothers 
possessed  some  property.  F'rom  this  place,  he  aflerwards 
wrote  to  me.  He  told  me  that  before  he  came  to  Massa- 
chusetts, he  saw  the  villainous  pilot  of  the  Mexican,  the  infa- 
mous Baltizar,  with  several  other  pirates,  brought  into  Montego 
Bay,  from  whence  they  w«re  to  be  conveyed  to  Kingston,  to 
be  executed.  Whether  the  others  were  part  of  the  Mexican's 
crew,  or  not,  I  do  not  know,  Baltizar  was  an  old  man,  and 
as  Jamieson  said,  it  was  a  melancholy  and  heart-rending  sight, 
to  see  him  borne  to  execution  with  those  gray  hairs,  which 
might  have  been  venerable  in  virtuous  old  age,  now  a  shame 
ana  reproach  to  this  hoary  villain,  for  he  was  full  of  years,  and 
old  in  iniquity  VV^hen  Jamieson  received  the  letter  which  I 
wrote,  he  immediately  embarked  with  Capt  Wilson,  and  came 
to  Boston,  as  I  have  before  observed. 

According  to  his  own  account  he  was  of  a  very  respectable 
family  in  Greenock,  Scotland.  His  father  when  living  was  a 
rich  cloth  merchant,  but  both  his  father  and  mother  had  been 
dead  many  years.  He  was  the  youngest  of  thirteen  children, 
and  being  as  he  said  of  a  roving  disposition,  had  always  fol- 
lowed the  seas.  He  had  received  a  polite  education,  and  was 
of  a  very  gentlemanly  deportment.  He  spoke  several  living 
languages,  and  was  skilled  in  drawing  and  painting.  He  had 
traveled  extensively  in  different  countries,  and  acquired  in 
consequence,  an  excellent  knowledge  of  their  manners  and 
customs.  His  varied  information  (for  hardly  any  subject  es- 
csaped  him,)  rendered  him  a  very  entertaining  companion. 
His  observations  on  the  character  of  different  nations  were 
very  liberal  ;  marking  their  various  traits,  their  virtues  and 
vices,  with  playful  humorousness,  quite  free  from  bigotry,  o 
narrow  prejudice. 

fie  was  in  France,  during  the  disturbance  between  Franee 


t04 


JfAmUYlTI   or    CAPTAIN    MNCOLif 


and  England,  when  all  Brit  sh  subjects  whatever  in  Franc« 
were  detained  prisoners  of  «r.  He  was  one  who  waa  thui 
compelled  to  remain  a  prison  ;r  to  Napoleon.  He  was  there, 
at  the  time  of  Napoleon's  r  emorablo  expedition  to  Russia ; 
and  saw  the  splendid  troops  <  t  the  Emperor  when  they  lefl  de- 
lightful France  to  commence  ( heir  toilsome,  and  fatal  journey  ; 
and  also  the  remnant  when  t!  ey  returned,  broken  down,  dia* 
spirited,  haggard,  and  wan,  /  ii  r  garments  hanging  about  them 
in  tatters,  and  hardly  life  n :  ugh  in  them  to  keep  soul  and 
body  together.  The  part'  ;u  i  rs  respecting  this  period,  he 
could  communicate  with  <  le  i  linuteness  of  an  eye-witness, 
which  consequently  rende  3d  t  lem  very  interesting.  During 
the  first  part  of  his  reside).  ;e  i  i  France,  he  was  supported  by 
remittances  from  his  fathct  an  I  allowed  the  liberty  of  the  city 
of  Valenciennes  ;  a  gent)  i  man  <  here,  being  bound  for  his  good 
behavior.  He  thus  had  in  o  z  portunity  of  visiting,  and  be- 
coming acquainted  with  the  ithabitants.  He  lived  in  this 
manner  several  years.  ;  >.t  lei  i  th  aroused,  as  he  said,  by  the 
consciousness  that  he  ws  3  spe;  i  ling  the  best  days  of  his  life  in 
idleness,  he  formed  the  <  etenr  i  lation  to  try  and  make  his  es- 
cape from  the  country.  He  hoaorably  released  the  gentleman 
who  was  bound  for  hi  r,  fronr  lis  obligation,  frankly  telling 
him  that  he  should  run  t  way  tl  ,e  first  opportunity.  From  this 
time  he  was  alternatel  /  arrestt  d  and  imprisoned,  and  by  vari- 
ous stratagems  effect' i  his  escaoe,  until  he  had  been  placed 
in  ninety-three  difler  i  it  pris'  >ns  During  his  wanderings  he 
climbed  the  Alps,  an  1  visited  ihe  famous  passage,  cut  through 
the  solid  rock,  by  E  s  nnibal,  wl  ich  as  he  said,  was  of  suffi- 
cient magnitude  to  t  dmit  a  la  rge  loaded  waggon  to  pass 
through.  From  his  1'  ng  resfdcice  in  France,  he  had  learned 
to  speak  the  FrencJi  anguage  '  nth  a  facility,  almost  equal  to 
a  native.  The  cha  r  i  of  his  c  'uversation  and  manners  drew 
people  around  him  I  ley  har  II  '  knew  how,  or  why. 

I  was  in  trade,  1  etwcen  /k)ston  and  Philadelphia,  at  the 
time  he  came  to  IV  a  tsachus  it  .s,  and  he  sailed  with  me  several 
trips  as  my  mate  He  afl )  M'ards  went  to  Cuba,  and  was 
■ubsequently  eng  i^ed  in  th  ;  mackerel  fishery,  out  of  the  port 
of  Hingham,  dui  ;n  r  the  wi  m  season,  and  in  the  winter  fre- 
quently employe*  \.  imself  ii  teaching  navigation  to  young  men, 
for  which  he  wat  f  nriinentl;  qualified.  He  remained  with  us, 
until  his  death,  v  hicb  to*  k  place  in  18^9.  At  this  time  he 
had  been  out  1 1  .ea  two  or  three  days,  when  he  was  taken 
sick,  and  was  c  ir  ied  int  >  Cape  Cod,  where  he  died,  on  thf 
first   da^  of  0  8  r  1829^   and  there  his  remains  lie  buried 


c 


IfARKATiyS    OF   CAPTAIrf    LINCOLN. 


S06 


Peace  be  to  his  ashes  !     They  rest  in  a  stru.igc  land,  far  fruir. 
his  kindred,  and  his  native  country. 

Since  his  death  I  have  met  with  Mr.  Stewart  in  PhihiJelph'a, 
who  was  Commercial  agent  in  Trinidad  at  the  time  ofiny  c«iip- 
ture.  He  informed  me,  that  the  piratical  schooner  Mexi<mn) 
was  afterwards  chased  by  an  English  government  vess:?!, 
from  Jamaica,  which  was  cruising  in  search  of  it.  Being  hotly 
pursued  the  pirates  deserted  their  vessel,  and  fled  to  the  i\Jun- 
grove  bushes,  on  an  island  similar  to  that  on  which  they  had 
placed  me  and  my  crew  to  die.  The  English  suriounded 
them  and  thus  they  were  cut  off  from  all  hope  of  escape.  They 
re^mained  there,  I  think  fourteen  days,  when  being  almost  en- 
tirely subdued  by  famine,  eleven  surrendered  themselves,  and 
were  taken.  The  others  probably  perished  among  the  man- 
groves. The  few  who  were  taken  were  carried  by  the  govern- 
ment vessel  into  Tiinidad.  Mr.  Stewart  said  that  he  saw  them 
himself,  and  such  miserable  objects  that  had  life  he  never  bo- 
fori'  beh.eid.  They  were  in  a  state  of  starviition;  their  beards 
hixd  grown  to  a  frightful  length,  their  bodies  were  covered 
with  tilth  and  vermin,  and  their  countenances  were  hideous. 
I'roin  Trinidad  they  were  taken  to  Kingston,  Jamaica,  and 
thorc  hung.  Thus  there  is  every  reason  to  believe  that  thifa 
horde  of  monsters  was  at  last  broken  up,  and  dispersed 


1 


IV 

1 


m 

m 


a 
3 

OB 


»  f 


VAEftATITB   or   JOHN    R.   JBWlTT 


101 


'' 


.     NARRATIVE  OF  THE  SUFFERINGS 

And  adventures  of  John  R.  Jewett,  only  survivor  of  the  crew  of  tht 
ship  Boston,  during  a  captivity  of  nearly  three  years  among  the 

Savages  of  Nootka  Sound. 

<  '-   >      ,i 

I  was  born  in  Boston,  a  considerablo  borough  town  in  Lin- 
colnshire, in  Great  Britain,  on  the  2 1st  of  INfay,  1783,  My  fa- 
ther, Edward  Jewitt,  was  by  trade  a  blacksmith,  and  esteemed 
among  the  first  in  his  line  of  business  in  that  place.  At  the 
age  of  three  years  I  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  my  mother,  a 
most  excellent  woman,  who  died  in  childbed,  leaving  an  infant 
daughter,  who,  with  myself,  and  an  elder  brother  b^  a  former 
mairiage  of  my  father,  constituted  the  whole  of  our  family. 
My  father,  who  considered  a  good  education  as  the  greatest 
blessing  he  could  bestow  .on  his  children,  was  very  particular 
in  paying  every  attention  to  us  in  that  respect,  always  exhort- 
ing us  to  behave  well,  and  endeavoring  to  injpress  on  oui 
minds  the  principles  of  virtue  and  morality,  and  no  expense  in 
his  power  was  spared  to  have  us  instructed  in  whatever  might 
render  us  useful  and  respectable  in  society.  My  brother,  who 
was  four  years  older  than  myself,  and  of  a  more  hardy  constitu- 
tion, he  destined  for  his  own  trade,  but  to  me  he  had  resolved  to 
give  an  education  superior  to  that  which  is  to  be  obtained  in  a 
common  school,  it  being  his  intention  that  I  should  adopt  one 
of  the  learneu  professions.  Accordingly  at  the  age  of  twelve 
bt  took  tua  from  the  school  in  which  I  had  bean  taught  th« 


ITAEEATnri   OF  JOHN   R.    JIWITT. 


fint  ruiliments  of  learning,  and  placed  me  under  jhe  care  ot 
Mr.  Moses,  a  celebrated  teacher  of  an  academy  at  Donning- 
ton,  about  twenty  miles  from  Boston,  in  order  to  be  instruct- 
ed in  the  Lutin  language,  and  in  spme  of  he  higher  branches 
of  the  Mathematics.  1  there  made  considerable  proficiency 
in  writinfT,  reading,  and  arithmetic,  and  obtained  a  pretty  good 
knowledge  of  navigation  and  of  surveying  ;  but  my  progresi 
in  Latin  was  slow,  not  only  owing  to  the  little  inclination  I  fell 
for  learning  that  language,  but  to  a  natural  impediment  in  my 
speech,  which  rendered  it  extremely  difficult  for  me  to  pro- 
nounce it,  so  that  in  a  short  time,  with  my  father^s  consent,  I 
wholly  reluiquished  the  study. 

Thus  passed  away  the  two  happiest  years  of  my  life,  when 
my  father,  thinking  that  I  had  received  a  sufficient  education 
for  the  profession  he  intended  me  for,  took  me  from  school  at 
Donnington  in  order  to  apprentice  me  to  Doctor  Mason,  a 
surgeon  of  eminence  at  Reaeby,  in  the  neighborhood  of  the 
celebrated  Sir  Joseph  Banks.  The  disinclination  I  ever  had 
felt  for  the  profession  my  father  wished  me  to  pursue,  was  still 
further  increased  on  my  return.  When  a  child  I  was  always 
fond  of  being  in  the  shop,  among  the  workn.^n,  endeavoring 
to  iniitate  what  I  saw  them  do  ;  this  disposition  so  far  increas- 
ed after  my  leaving  the  academy,  that  I  could  not  bear  to  hear 
the  least  mention  made  of  my  being  apprenticed  to  a  surgeon, 
and  I  used  so  many  intreaties  with  my  father  to  persuade  him 
to  give  up  this  plan  and  learn  mc  his  own  trade,  that  he  at 
last  consented.  More  fortunate  would  it  probably  have  been 
for  me,  had  I  gratified  the  wishes  of  this  affectionate  parent, 
in  adopting  the  profession  he  had  chosen  for  me,  than  thus  in- 
duced him  to  sacrifice  them  to  mine.  However  it  might  have 
been,  I  was  at  last  introduced  into  the  shop,  and  my  natural 
turn  of  mind  corresponding  with  the  employment,  I  became  in 
a  short  time  uncommonly  expert  at  the  work  to  which  I  was 
aet. 

About  a  year  after  I  had  commenced  this  apprenticeshif. 
my  father  finding  that  he  could  carry  on  his  business  to  more 
advantage  in  Hull,  removed  thither  with  his  family.  An  event 
of  no  little  importance  to  me,  as  it  in  a  great  measure  influ-* 
enced  my  fu  are  destiny.  Hull  be-'ug  one  of  the  best  ports  in 
England,  and  a  place  of  great  tradt  my  father  had  there  full 
employment  for  his  numerous  workmen,  particularly  in  vessel 
work.  This  naturally  leading  me  to  an  acquaintance  with  the 
saiiors  on  board  some  of  the  ships,  the  many  remarkable  storiei 
they  told  me  of  their  voyages  and  uavcntures^  and  of  th«  man- 


HAKEATIVE   Of  JOHN   R.   JBWiTt. 


SD9 


i 


oera  and  customs  of  (he  nations  they  had  seen,  excited  a  strong 
wish  in  me  to  visit  foreign  countries,  which  was  increased  by 
my  reading  the  voyages  of  Capt.  Cook,  and  some  other  cele- 
brated navigators. 

Thus  passed  the  four  years  that  I  lived  at  Hull,  where  my 
father  was  esteemed  by  all  who  knew  him,  as  a  worthy,  in- 
dustrious, and  thriving  man.  At  this  period  a  circumstance 
occurred  which  afforded  me  the  opportunity  I  had  for  some 
time  wished,  of  gratifying  my  inclination  of  going  broad. 

Among  our  principal  customers  at  Hull,  were  the  Amer- 
icans who  frequented  that  port,  and  from  whose  conversation 
my  father  as  well  as  myself  formed  the  most  favorable  opinion 
of  that  country,  as  affording  an  excellent  field  for  the  exer- 
tions of  industry,  and  a  flattering  prospect  for  the  establish- 
ment of  a  young  man  in  life.  In  the  summer  of  the  year  1802, 
during  tl  e  peace  between  England  and  France,  the  ship  Bos- 
ton, belonging  to  Boston,  in  Massachusetts,  and  commanded 
by  Capt.  John  Salter,  arrived  at  Hull,  whither  she  came  to 
take  on  board  a  cargo  of  such  goods  as  were  wanted  for  the 
trade,  with  the  Indians  on  the  North-West  coast  of  America, 
fror^  whence,  after  having  taken  in  a  lading  of  furs  and  skins, 
she  ;vas  to  proceed  to  China,  and  from  thence  home  to  Aoie- 
rica.  The  ship,  having  occasion  for  many  repairs  and  alter- 
ations, necessary  for  so  long  a  voyage,  the  captain  applied  to 
my  father  to  do  the  smith  work,  which  was  very  considerable. 
That  gentleman,  who  was  of  a  social  turn,  used  often  to  call  at 
my  father's  house,  where  he  passed  many  of  his  evenings,  with 
his  chief  and  second  mates,  Mr.  B.  Delouisa,  and  Mr.  Wm. 
Ingraham,  the  latter  a  fine  young  man  of  about  twenty,  of  a 
most  amiable  temper,  and  of  such  affable  manners,  as  gained 
him  the  Jove  and  attachment  of  our  whole  crew.  These  gen- 
tlemen used  occasionally  to  take  me  with  them  to  the  theatre, 
an  amusement  which  I  was  very  fond  of,  and  which  my  father 
rather  encouraged  than  objected  to,  as  he  thought  it  a  good 
means  of  preventing  young  men  who  are  naturally  inclined  to 
seek  for  something  to  amuse  thom,  from  frequenting  taverns, 
ale  houses,  and  places  of  bad  resort,  equally  destructive  of  the 
health  and  morals,  while  the  stage  frequent! v  furnishes  excel" 
IciWt  lessons  of  morality  and  good  conduct 

In  the  evenings  that  he  passed  at  my  father's,  Capt.  Salter, 
who  had  for  a  great  number  of  years  bf  er.  at  sea,  and  seen  al- 
most all  parts  of  the  world,  used  sometimes  to  speak  of  hit 
voyages,  and  observing  me  listen  with  much  attention  to  htf 
rvifiiiooi  be  one  day,  when  I  had  brought  him  aome  woHi,  mu4 


tlO 


VAmEATITl  OP  JOHN   it.   JBWITT 


to  me  m  rather  t  jocose  manner,  John,  how  should  you  like  te 
go  with  me  ?  I  answered  that  it  would  give  me  great  pleasure, 
that  I  had  for  a  long  time  wished  to  visit  foreign  countries, 
particularly  America,  which  1  had  been  told  so  many  fine 
stories  of,  and  that  if  my  father  would  give  his  consent  and  he 
was  willing  to  take  me  with  him,  I  would  go.  I  shall  be  very 
glad  to  do  it,  said  ha,  if  your  father  can  be  prevailed  on  to  let 
vou  go,  and  as  I  want  an  expert  smith  for  an  armorer,  the  one 
\  have  shipped  for  that  purpose  not  being  suiHcicntly  master 
of  his  trade,  l  have  no  doubt  that  you  will  answer  my  turn 
well,  as  I  perceive  you  are  both  active  and  ingenious,  and  on 
ny  return  to  America,  I  shall  probably  be  able  to  do  some- 
thing much  better  for  you  in  Boston  ;  I  will  take  the  first  op- 
oortunity  of  speaking  to  your  father  about  it,  and  try  to  per- 
suade him  to  consent.  He  accordingly  the  next  evening  that 
he  called  at  our  house  introduced  the  subject  :  my  father  at 
first  would  not  listen  to  the  proposal.  That  best  of  parents, 
though  anxious  for  my  advantageous  establishment  in  life, 
could  not  bear  to  think  of  parting  with  me,  but  on  Capt. 
Salter's  telHng  him  of  what  benefit  it  would  be  to  me  to  go 
the  voyage  with  him,  and  that  it  was  a  pity  to  keep  a  promis- 
ing and  ingenious  young  fellow,  like  myself,  confined  to  a 
small  shop  in  England,  when  if  I  had  tolerable  success,  I 
might  do  so  much  better  in  America,  where  wages  were  much 
higher  and  living  cheaper,  he  at  length  gave  up  his  objections 
and  consented  that  I  should  ship  on  board  the  Boston  as  an  ar- 
morer, at  the  rate  of  thirty  dollars  per  month ;  with  an  agreement 
that  the  amount  due  me,  together  with  a.certain  sum  of  money 
which  my  father  gave  Capt,  Salter  for  that  purpose,  should  be 
laid  out  by  him  on  the  North  West  Coast  in  the  purchase  of 
furs  on  my  account,  to  be  disposed  of  in  China  for  such  goods 
as  would  yield  a  profit  on  the  return  of  the  ship  ;  my  father 
being  solicitous  to  give  me  every  advantage  in  his  power,  of 
well  establishing  myself  in  my  trade  in  Boston  or  some  other 
maritime  town  of  America.  Such  were  the  flattering  expecta- 
tions which  this  good  riian  indulged  respecting  me.  Alas  ! 
the  fatal  disaster  that  befel  us,  not  only  blasted  all  these  hopes, 
but  involved  me  in  extreme  distress  and  wretchedness  for  ■ 
loDg  period  afler. 

The  ship  having  undergone  a  thorough  repair,  and  been 
we!'  coppered,  proceeded  to  take  on  bo^rd  her  cargo,  which 
consisted  of  English  cloths,  Dutch  blankets,  looking  glasses, 
beads,  knives,  razors,  &.C .  which  were  received  from  Holland, 
pome  sugar  and  molasses,  about  twenty  hogsheads  of  ruoi, 


1 


t 


1 


I 


t 


RAKBATITt   OF  JOHN    R.    JBWITT. 


til 


m 


.->^. 


t 


i 


including  stores  for  the  ship,  a  great  quantity  of  ammunition, 
cutlasses,  pistols,  and  three  thousand  muskets  and  fowling 
pieces. 

On  the  third  day  of  September,  I802  we  sailed  from  the 
Downs  with  a  fair  wind,  in  company  with  twenty-four  sail  of 
American  vessels,  most  of  which  were  bound  home. 

I  was  sea-sick  for  a  few  of  the  first  days,  but  it  was  of 
short  continuance,  and  on  my  recovery  I  found  myself  in  un- 
commonly fine  health  and  spirits,  and  went  to  work  with  alac- 
rity ai  my  forge,  in  putting  in  order  some  of  the  muskets, 
and  making  daggers,  knives,  and  small  hatchets  for  the  Indian 
trade,  while  in  wet  and  stormy  weather  I  was  occupied  below 
in  filing  and  polishing  them. 

We  had  a  pleasant  and  favorable  passage  of  twenty-nine 
days  to  the  Island  of  St.  Catharine  on  the  coast  of  Brazils, 
where  the  Captain  had  determined  to  stop  for  a  few  days  to 
wood  and  water.  The  ship  remained  at  St.  Catharine's  four 
days,  during  which  time,  we  were  busily  employed  in  taking 
in  wood,  water,  and  fresh  provisions,  Capt.  Salter  thinking  li 
best  to  furnish  himself  here  with  a  full  supply  for  his  voyage 
to  the  North-west  coast,  so  as  not  to  be  obliged  to  stop  at  the 
Sandwich  Islands. 

Haying  completed  our  stores  we  put  to  sea,  and  on  the 
twenty  fifth  of  December  at  length  passed  Cape  Horn,  which 
we  had  made  no  less  than  thirty-six  days  before,  but  were 
repeatedly  forced  back  by  contrary  winds,  experiencing  very 
rough  and  tempestuous  weather  in  doubling  it. 

Immediately  afler  passing  Cape  Horn,  all  our  dangers  and 
difficulties  seemed  to  be  at  an  end  ;  the  weather  became  fine, 
and  so  little  labor  was  necessary  on  board  the  ship  that  the 
men  soon  recovered  from  their  fatigue  and  were  in  excellent 
spirits.  A-  few  days  after  we  fell  in  with  an  English  South 
Sea  Whaling  Ship,  homeward  bound,  which  was  the  only 
vessel  we  spoke  with  on  our  voyage.  We  now  took  the  trade 
wind  or  monsoon,  during  which  we  enjoyed  the  finest  weather 
possible,  so  that  for  the  space  of  a  fortnight  we  were  not  oblig- 
3d  to  reeve  a  topsail  or  to  make  a  tack,  and  so  light  was  the 
duty  and  easy  the  life  of  the  sailors  during  this  time,  that  they 
appeared  tha  happiest  of  any  people  in  the  world. 

In  this  manner,  with  a  ('air  wind  and  easy  weather  from  the 
28th  of  December,  the  r  d  of  our  passing  Cape  Horn,  we 
pursued  our  voyage  to  •  iorthward  until  the  l'2th  of  March, 
1803,  when  we  made  »  xly  Point  in  Nootka  Sbufid  on  the 
North  West  Coast  of  America      We  immediately  stood  up  tbf 


P 


sit 


MAAEATlYft   OV   JOHN*    A.   JBWITT. 


Sound  for  Nootka,  wnere  Cipt.  Salter  had  determined  to  atop, 
ID  order  to  supply  the  ship  with  water  before  proceedine  up 
the  coast  to  trade.  But  in  order  to  avoid  the  risque  ot  anjr 
molestation  or  interruption  t^  his  men  from  the  Indians,  while 
thus  employed,  he  proceeded  with  the  ship  about  iive  miles  ta 
he  Northward  of  the  village    which  is  situated  on  Frie.'^di* 


Arrival  of  the  Boston  at  Nootka  Sound. 


■  ':^<'ff. 


Cove,  and  sent  out  his  chief  mate  with  several  of  the  crew  i 
the  boat  to  find  a  good  place  for  anchoring  her.  After  sound 
'ng  for  some  time  they  returned  with  information  tiiat  they  had 
discovered  a  secure  place  for  anchorage,  on  the  Western  side 
of  an  inlet  or  small  bay  at  about  a  mile  from  the  coast,  near  a 
small  island  which  protected  it  from  the  sea,  and  where  there 
was  a  plenty  of  wood  and  excellent  water.  The  ship  accord- 
ingly came  to  anchor  in  this  place,  at  twelve  o'clock  at  night, 
in  twelve  fathom  water,  muddy  bottom,  and  so  near  the  shore 
that  to  prevent  the  ship  from  winding  we  secured  her  by  a 
hauser  to  the  trees.  ,  :  <^:^vv      -  ;  ^       ;;   ; 

On  the  morning  of  the  next  day,  the  thirteenth,  several  of 
the  natives  came  on  board  in  a  canoe  from  the  village  of 
Nootka,  with  their  king,  called  Maquina,  who  appeared  much 
pleased  on  seeing  us,  and  with  great  seeming  cordiality,  wel- 
comed Capt.  Salter  and  his  officers  to  his  country.  As  I  had 
never  before  beheld  a  savage  of  any  nation,  it  may  readily  be 
supposed  that  the  novelty  of  their  appearance,  ao  different 
from  any  people  that  I  had  hitherto  seen,  excited  in  me  strong 
feelings  of  surprise  and  curiosity.  I  was,  however,  particular- 
Y  itrjck  with  the  looks  of  their  king,  who  was  a  man  of  a  di||- 


* 


V 


1' 


HAMATIVB   OF   JOUN    R.    JBWITT. 


tl5 


t 


1 


aified  aspect,  about  nix  ft^et  in  height  and  extrcn.ely  strait 
and  wdll  pioportioned  ;  his  features  were  in  general  good  and 
his  face  was  rendered  remarkable  by  a  large  Roman  nose,  a 
very  incoromon  form  of  feature  among  these  people  ;  his  com- 
plexicn  was  of  a  dark  copper  hue,  though  his  face,  legs,  and 
arms  were  on  this  occasion,  so  covered  with  red  paint,  that 
their  natural  color  could  scarcely  be  perceived,  his  eye-browi 
were  painted  black  in  two  broad  stripes  like  a  new  moon,  and 
his  long  black  hair,  which  shone  with  oil,  was  fastened  in  a 
bunch  on  the  top  of  his  head  and  strewed  or  powdered  all  over 
with  white  down,  which  gave  him  a  most  curious  and  extra- 
ordinary appearance  He  was  dressed  in  a  large  mantle  or 
cloak  of  the  black  sea  otter  skin,  which  reached  to  his  knees, 
and  was  fastened  around  his  middle  by  a  broad  belt  of  the 
cloth  of  the  country,  wrought,  or  painted  with  figures  of 
several  colors  ;  this  dress  was  by  no  means  unbecoming,  but 
on  the  contrary  had  an  air  of  savage  magnificence.  His  men 
were  habited  in  mantles  of  the  same  cloth,  which  is  made  from 
the  bark  of  a  tree,  and  had  some  resemblance  to  straw  matting, 
these  are  nearly  square  and  have  two  holes  in  the  upper  part 
large  enoui|[h  to  admit  the  arms — they  reach  as  low  as  the 
knees  an^'  are  fastened  around  their  bodies  with  a  belt  about 
four  incb';s  broad  of  the  same  cloth 

From  his  having  frequently  visited  the  English  and  Amer- 
ican ships  that  traded  to  the  coast,  Maquina  had  learned  the 
8ignifir\tion  of  a  number  of  English  words,  and  in  general 
could  <jiake  himself  pretty  well  understood  by  us  in  our  own 
language.  He  was  always  the  first  to  go  on  board  such  ships 
as  came  to  Nootka,  which  he  was  much  pleased  in  visiting, 
even  when  he  had  no  trade  to  offer,  as  he  almost  always  re- 
ceived some  small  present,  and  was  in  general  extremely  well 
♦:«ated  by  the  commanders.  He  remained  on  board  of  us  for 
^ftne  time,  during  which  the  captain  took  him  into  the  cabin 
.  id  treated  him  with  a  glass  of  rum  ;  these  people  being  very 
jnd  of  distilled  spirits,  and  some  biscuit  and  molasses  which 
ney  prefer  to  any  kind  of  food  that  we  can  offer  them. 

As  there  arc  seldom  many  furs  to  be  purchased  at  this  place 
and  it  was  not  fully  the  season,  Capt.  Salter  had  put  in  here 
not  so  much  with  an  expectation  of  trading  as  to  procure  an 
ample  stock  of  wood  and  water  for  the  supply  of  the  ship  on 
the  coast,  thinking  it  more  prudent  to  take  it  on  board  at 
Nootka,  from  the  generally  friendly  disposition  of  the  people, 
than  to  endanger  the  safety  of  his  men  in  sending  them  on 
there  for  that  purpose  among  the  more  ferocious  natives  of  thf 


W 

'riu 

P 


^i! 


i 


tu 


frARKATIVR    or  JOHN    R.    JEWITT. 


north.  With  this  view,  we  immediately  set  about  gotting  ou: 
water  casks  in  readiness,  and  the  next  and  titro  succeeding 
days  part  of  the  crew  were  sent  on  shore  to  cut  pine  timbei 
and  a^!^t  the  carpenter  in  making  it  into  yards  and  spars 
for  the  ship,  while  those  on  board  wore  »;mployed  in  refit- 
ting the  rigging,  repairing  the  sails,  &.c.  when  we  proceeded 
to  toke  in  our  wood  and  water  as  expeditiously  as  possible,  du- 
ring which  time  I  kept  myself  b".sily  employed  in  repairinjr 
the  muskets,  making  knives,  toniaxes,  &.c.  and  doing  such 
iron  work  as  was  wanted  for  the  ship.  Meantime  more  or  less 
of  the  natives  came  on  board  of  us  daily,  bringing  with  them 
fresh  salmon,  with  which  they  supplied  us  in  great  plenty,  re- 
ceiving in  return  some  trifling  articles,  Capt.  Salter  was  al- 
ways very  particular  before  admitting  the  people  on  board  to  see 
that  they  had  no  arms  about  them,  by  obliging  them  indiscri- 
minately to  throw  ofl^  their  garments,  so  that  he  felt  perfectly 
secure  from  any  attack.  On  the  fifteenth  the  king  came  on 
board  with  several  of  his  chiefs  ;  he  was  dressed  as  before  in  his 
magnificent  otter  skin  robe,  having  his  face  highly  painted,  and 
his  hair  tossed  off  with  the  white  down  which  looked  like 
snow  ;  his  chiefs  were  dressed  in  mantles  of  the  country  cloth 
of  its  natural  color,  which  is  a  pale  yellow  ;  these  were  orna- 
mented with  a  broad  border  painted  or  wrought  in  figures  of 
several  colors  representinj^  men's  heads,  various  animals,  &c 
and  secured  around  them  by  a  belt  like  that  of  the  king  from 
which  it  was  distinguished  only  by  being  narrower  :  the  dress 
of  the  common  people  is  of  the  same  fashion  and  difl'ers  from 
that  of  the  chiefs  in  being  of  a  coarser  texture  and  painted 
red,  of  one  uniform  color. 

Capt.  Salter  invited  Maquina  and  his  chiefs  to  dine  with 
him,  and  it  was  curious  to  see  how  these  people,  when  they 
eat,  seat  themselves  in  their  country  fashion,  upon  our 
chairs,  with  their  feet  under  them  crossed  like  Turks.  They 
cannot  endure  the  taste  of  salt,  and  the  only  thing  they  would 
eat  with  us  was  the  ship  bread  which  they  were  very  fond  of, 
especially  when  dipped  in  molasses,  they  had  also  a  great  lik- 
ing for  tea  and  coffee  when  well  sweetened.  As  iron  wea- 
pons and  tools  of  almost  every  kind  are  in  much  request  among 
them,  whenever  they  came  on  board  they  were  always  very 
attentive  to  me,  crowding  around  me  at  the  forge,  as  if  to  see 
in  what  manner  I  did  my  work,  and  m  this  way  became  quite 
familiar,  a  circumstance,  as  will  be  seen  in  the  end,  of  great 
importance  to  me.  The  salmon  which  they  brought  us  fur- 
pudied  a  most  delicious  treat  to  men  who  for  a  long  time  h«<| 


't 


■^ 


t 


^ 


HAUUTiyi  OF  JOUll   R     JIWITT. 


^15 


lived  wholly  on  Halt  provisiuti/t,  cxccptiig  such  few  soa  fi»li  ud 
we  had  the  good  rurtiine  occauioiiaily  lo  take.  We  indeed 
t'eaHted  most  luxiiriouuiy,  and  flattered  ourselves  tluit  we 
should  not  want  while  on  the  coast  for  plenty  of  fresh  provi- 
sions, little  imagining  the  fate  that  awaited  us,  and  that  tins 
dainty  fo(»d  was  to  prove  the  unfortunate  lure  to  our  destriic- 
cion  !  On  the  19th,  the  king  came  again  on  hoard  and  wua 
invited  hy  the  Captain  to  dine  with  him.  He  had  much  con- 
versation with  Capt.  Salter,  and  informed  him  that  there  were 
plenty  of  wild  ducks  and  geese  near  Friendly  Cove,  on  which 
the  Captain  made  him  a  present  of  a  douhle-barrelled  fo.vling 
piece  with  which  he  appeared  to  he  greatly  pleased  and  soon 
after  went  on  shore. 

On  the  20th  we  were  nearly  ready  for  our  departure,  hav- 
ing taken  in  what  wood  and  water  we  were  in  want  of. 

The  next  day  Maquina  came  on  board  with  nine  pair  of  wild 
ducks,  as  a  present,  at  'he  same  time  he  brought  with  him  the 
gun,  one  of  the  locks  of  which  he  had  broken,  telling  the  Cap- 
tain that  it  was  pesiiak,  that  is,  bad  ;  Capt.  Salter  was  very 
much  offended  at  this  observation,  and  considering  it  as  n 
mark  of  contempt  for  the  present,  he  called  the  ki..«i  a  liar, 
adding  other  opprobrious  terms,  and  takinj;  the  gun  i;om  him 
tossed  it  indignantly  into  the  cabin  and  calling  me  to  him  said, 
*  John,  this  fellow  has  broken  this  beautiful  fowling  piece,  see 
if  you  can  mend  it  :'  on  examining  it  1  told  him  tnat  it  could 
be  done.  As  I  have  already  observed,  Maquina  knew  a 
number  gf  JEnglish  words,  and  unfortunately  under.stood  but 
too  well  the  meaning  of  the  reproachful  terms  that  the  Captain 
addressed  to  him.  He  said  not  a  word  in  reply,  but  his 
countenance  sufficiently  expressed  the  rage  he  felt,  though  he 
exerted  himself  to  suppress  it,  and  I  observed  him  while  the 
Captain  was  speaking  repeatedly  put  his  hand  to  his  throat 
and  rub  it  upon  his  bosom,  which  he  afterwards  told  me  waa 
to  keep  down  his  heart  which  was  rising  into  his  throat  and 
choaking  him.  He  soon  after  went  on  shore  with  his  men, 
evidently  much  discomposed. 

On  the  morning  of  the  22d,  the  natives  came  ofi*  to  us  aa 
usual  with  salmon,  and  remained  on  board,  when  about  noon 
Maquina  came  along  side  with  a  considerable  number  of  his 
chiefs  and  men  in  their  canoes,  who,  after  going  through  the 
customary  examination  were  admitted  into  the  ship.  He  had 
a  whistle  in  his  hand,  and  over  his  face  a  very  ugly  mask  of 
wood  representing  the  head  of  some  wild  beast,  appeared  to 
be  remarkably  good  humored  ana  gay,  and  whilst  his  peopto 


i 


k)!: 


i, 


I!   ' 
.1'  .< 


r 


<■  ii 


^^^mm^m^ 


W^W 


i16 


5ARBATITB   OF  JOHN   R     JBWITT 


jsung  and  capered  about  the  deck,  entertaining  us  with  a 
variety  of  antic  tricks  and  gestures,  he  blew  his  whistle  to  e 
kind  ut'  tune  which  seemed  to  regulate  their  motions.  As 
Capt.  Salter  was  walking  on  the  quarter  deck  amusing  himself 
with  thf^ir  dancing,  the  king  came  up  to  him  and  inquired 
when  he  intended  to  go  to  sea  r — he  answered,  to-morrow. — 
Maquina  then  said,  *  you  love  salmon — much  in  Friendly 
Cove,  why  not  go  then  and  catch  some  ?' — The  Captain 
thought  that  it  would  be  very  desirable  to  havr  a  good  supply 
of  these  fish  for  the  voyage,  and  on  consulting  with  Mr.  De- 
louisa  it  was  agreed  to  send  part  of  the  crew  on  shore  after 
dinner  with  the  seine  in  order  to  procure  a  quantity.  Maqui- 
na and  his  chiefs  staid  and  dined  on  board,  and  after  dinner 
the  chief  mate  went  off  with  nine  men  in  the  jolly  boat  and 
yawl  to  fish  at  Friendly  Cove,  having  set  the  steward  on 
shore  at  our  watering  place  to  wash  the  captain^s  clothes. 
Shortly  after  the  departure  of  the  l»  )a:;s  I  went  down  to  my  vice 
bench  in  the  steerage  where  I  was  employed  in  cleaning 
muskets.  I  had  not  been  there  more  than  an  hour  when  I 
heard  the  men  hoisting  in  the  long  boat,  which  in  a  few  mih'Jtes 
after,  was  succeeded  by  a  great  bustle  and  confusion  on  deck 
I  immeuiately  ran  up  the  steerage  stairs,  but  scarcely  was  my 
head  above  deck,  when  I  was  caught  by  the  hair  by  one  of 
t]b|e  savages,  and  lifted  from  my  feet  ;  (brtunately  for  me,  my 
hair  being  short,  and  the  ribbon  with  which  it  was  tied  slip- 
pingj  I  fell  from  his  hold  into  the  steerage.  As  I  was  falling, 
he  struck  at  me  with  an  axe,  which  cut  a  deep  gash  in  my 
forehead  and  penetrated  the  skull,  but  in  consequence  of  losing 
his  holdj  i  luckily  escaped  the  full  force  of  the  blow  \  which, 
otherwise,  would  have  cleft  my  head  in  two.  I  fell,  stunned 
and  senseless  upon  the  floor — how  long  1  continued  in  this 
situation  1  know  not,  but  on  recovering  my  senses  the  first 
thing  that  I  did,  was  to  try  to  get  up  ;  but  so  weak  was  I. 
from  the  loss  of  blood,  that  I  faiuted  and  fell.  I  was  howevei 
soon  recalled  to  my  recollection  by  three  loud  shouts  or  yells 
from  the  savages,  which  convinced  me  that  they  had  got  pos- 
session of  the  ship.  It  is  impossible  for  me  to  describe  my 
feelings  at  this  terrific  sound. — Some  faint  idea  may  be  formed 
of  them  by  those  who  have  known  whrt  it  is  to  half  waken 
from  a  hideous  dream  and  still  think  it  real.  Never,  no, 
never,  shall  I  lose  from  my  mind  the  impression  of  that  dread* 
fill  moment.  I  expected  every  instant  to  share  the  wretched 
fate  of  my  unfor'  '.nate  companions,  and  when  I  heard  the 
fong  of  triumph,  by  which  these  infernal  yells  was  sacceeded, 


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•^trt**-*  I***-  •••  *»».*W 


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KAmSATITB  Of  JOHN  R     flWITT. 


tn 


my  blood  r«n  cold  in  uiy  veins.  Having  at  lenj^th  sufficieDtl/ 
recovered  my  senses  to  look  around  mc  after  wiping  the  blood 
from  my  eyes,  I  saw  that  the  hatch  of  the  steerage  was  shut. 
This  was  done,  as  I  afterwards  discovered,  by  order  of  Ma- 
quina,  who,  on  seemg  the  savage  strike  at  me  with  the  axe, 
told  him  not  to  hurt  me,  for  that  I  was  the  armorer,  and  would 
be  useful  to  them  in  repairing  their  arms ;  while  at  the  same 
time  to  prevent  any  of  his  men  from  injuring  me,  he  had  the 
hatch  closed.  But  to  mc  this  circumstance  wore  a  very  dif* 
ferent  appearance,  for  I  thought  that  these  barbarians  had 
only  prolonged  my  life  in  order  to  deprive  me  of  it  by  the 
most  cruel  tortures.  I  remained  in  this  horrid  state  of  sus- 
pense for  a  very  long  time,  when  at  length  the  hatch  was 
opened,  and  Maquina,  calling  me  by  name,  ordered  me  to 
come  up.  I  groped  my  way  up  as  well  as  I  was  able,  being 
almost  blinded  with  the  blood  that* flowed  from  my  wound,  and 
so  weak  as  with  difficulty  to  walk.  The  king,  on  perceiving 
my  situation,  ordered  one  of  his  men  to  bring  a  pot  of  water 
to  wash  the  blood  from  my  face,  which  having  done,  I  was 
able  to  see  distinctly  with  one  of  my  eyes,  but  the  other  was 
so  swollen  from  my  wound,  that  it  was  closed.  But  what  a 
terrific  spectacle  met  my  eyes  ;  six  naked  savages,  standing  in 
a  circle  around  me,  covered  with  the  blood  of  my  murdered 
comrades,  with  their  daggers  uplifted  in  their  hands,  prepared 
to  strike.  I  now  thought  my  last  moment  had  come,  and  re- 
commended my  soul  to  my  Maker.  The  king,  who,  as  I  have 
already  observed,  knew  enough  of  English  to  make  himsell 
understood,  entered  the^^j^le,  and  placing  himself  before  me, 
addressed  me  nearly  in  the  following  words — "  John — I  speak 
— you  no  say  no — You  say  no — daggers  come  !*'  He  then 
asked  me  if  I  would  be  his  slave  during  my  life — If  I  would 
fight  foi'  him  in  his  battles — If  I  would  repair  his  muskets  and 
make  daggers  and  knives  for  him — with  several  other  ques- 
tions, to  all  of  which  I  was  careful  to  answer,  yes.  He  then 
told  me  that  he  would  spare  my  life,  and  ordered  me  to  kiss 
his  hands  and  feet  to  show  my  submission  to  him,  'hich  I  did 
— In  the  mean  time  his  people  were  very  clamorous  to  have 
me  put  to  death,  so  that  there  should  be  none  of  us  left  totel 
our  story  to  our  countrymen  and  prevent  them  ^rom  coming  to 
trade  with  them  ;  but  the  king,  in  the  most  determined  man- 
ner opposed  their  wishes,  and  to  his  favor  am  I  wholly  indebt- 
ed for  my  being  yet  among  the  living.  As  I  was  busy  at 
work  at  the  time  of  the  attack,  I  was  without  my  coat,  and 
what  with  the  coldness  of  the  weather,  my  feeblenept  from 
vol.  I  10 


I 


I 


n 


n 


tit 


HABBATIVS  OF  JOHN   B.   JBWITT. 


loss  of  blood,  the  pain  of  my  wound  and  the  extreme  agitation 
and  terror  that  I  still  felt,  I  Hhook  like  a  leaf,  which  the  king 
observmg,  went  into  the  cabin  and  bringing  up  a  great  coat 
that  belonged  to  the  captain,  threw  it  over  my  shoulders  tell- 
ing me  to  drink  some  rum  from  a  bottle  which  he  handed  me, 
at  the  same  time  giving  me  to  understand  that  it  would  be 
good  for  me  and  keep  me  from  trembling  as  I  did.  1  took  a 
draught  of  it,  afler  which,  taking  me  by  the  hand,  he  led  me 
to  the  quarter  deck,  where  the  most  horrid  sight  presented  it- 
self that  ever  my  eyes  witnessed — the  heads  of  our  unfortu- 
tate  Captain  and  his  crew,  to  the  number  of  twenty-five,  were 
all  arranged  in  a  line,  and  Maquina  ordering  one  of  his  people 
to  bring  a  head,  asked  me  whose  it  was  :  I  answered,  the 
Captain's  ;  in  like  manner  the  others  were  shown  me,  and  I 
told  him  the  names  excepting  a  few  that  were  so  horribly 
mangled  that  I  was  not  able  to  recognize  them.  I  now  dis- 
covered that  all  our  unfortunate  crew  had  been  massacred, 
and  learned  that  after  getting  possession  of  the  ship,  the  sava- 
ges had  broke  open  the  arm  chest  and  magazine,  and  supply- 
ing themselves  with  ammunition  and  arms,  sent  a  party  on 
shore  to  attack  our  men  who  had  gone  thither  to  fish,  and  be- 
ing joined  by  numbers  from  the  village,  without  difficulty, 
overpowered  and  murdered  them,  and  cutting  olF  their  heads, 
brought  them  on  board,  after  throwing  their  bodies  into  the 
sea.  On  looking  upon  the  deck,  I  saw  it  entirely  covered 
with  the  blood  of  my  poor  comrades,  whose  throats  had  been 
cut  with  their  own  jack-knives,  the  savages  having  seized 
the  opportunity  while  tney  were  busy  in  hoisting  in  the  boat 
to  grapple  with  them  and  overpower  them  by  their  numbers  ; 
in  the  scuffle  the  Captain  was  thrown  overboard  and  dispatch- 
ed by  those  in  the  canoes  who  immediately  cut  off  his  head  * 
What  I  felt  on  this  occasion,  may  be  more  readily  conceived 
than  expressed 

After  I  had  answered  his  questions,  Maquina  took  mv 
silk  haudkerchiof  from  my  neck  and  bound  it  round  my  head, 
placing  over  the  wound  a  leaf  of  tobacco,  of  which  we  had  a 
£reat  quantity  on  board.  This  was  done  at  my  desire,  as  I 
Had  oflen  found  from  personal  experience  the  benefit  of  this 
application  to  cuts. 

Maquina  then  ordered  me  to  get  the  ship  under  way  for 
friendly  Cove.  This  I  did  by  cutting  the  cables  and  sending 
some  of  the  natives  aloft  to  loose  the  sails,  which  they  per* 
formed  in  a  very  lungling  manner.  But  they  succeeded  so 
fiir  in    oosing  the  jib  and  topsails,  that,  with  the   ad?anti^^ 


t 


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1 


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•' 


WABRATlvm    OF    JOHN    R.     JBWITT 


^19 


of  a  fair  wind,  I  succeeded  in  getting  the  ship  into  the  Covo 
where,  hy  order  of  the  king,  I  ran  her  ashore  on  a  sandy 
beach,  at  8  o'clock  at  night. 

We  were  received  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  viUage,  men, 
women,  and  children,  with  loud  shouts  of  joy,  and  a  most 
horrible  drumming  with  sticks  upon  the  roofs  and  sides  of 
their  houses,  in  which  they  had  also  stuck  a  great  numbf'^  of 
lighted  pine  torches,  to  welcome  their  kings  return  and  ccn- 
gratulatc  him  on  the  success  of  his  enterprise. 

Maquina  then  took  me  on  shore  to  his  house  which  ¥  as 
veiy  large  and  filled  with  people — where  I  was  received  with 
much  kindness  by  the  women,  particularly  those  belong  ng 
to  the  king,  who  had  no  less  than  nine  wives,  all  of  wh)m 
came  around  me  expressing  much  sympathy  for  my  misiDr- 
tunes,  gently  stroking  and  patting   my   head  in  an  encoura- 

f^ing  and  soothing  manner,  with  words  expressive  of  condo- 
ence.  How  sweet  is  compassion  even  from  savages  ? — 
Those  who  have  beei.  in  a  similar  situation,  can  alone  truly 
appreciate  its  value  In  the  mean  time,  all  the  warriors  of 
the  tribe,  to  the  number  of  five  hundred,  had  assembled  at 
the  king's  house  to  rejoice  for  their  success.     They  exulted 

greatly  in  having  taken  our  ship,  and  each  one  boasted  of 
is  own  particular  exploits  in  killing  our  men,  but  they  were 
in  general  much  dissatisfied  with  my  having  been  suffered 
to  live,  and  were  very  urgent  with  Maquina  to  deliver  me  to 
them  to  be  put  to  death,  which  he  obstinately  refused  to  do, 
telling  them  that  he  had  promised  me  my  life  and  would  not 
break  his  word;  and  that  besides,  I  knew  how  to  repair  and 
to  make  arms,  and  should  be  of  great  use  to  them. 

The  king  then  seated  me  by  him  and  ordered  his  women  to 
bring  him  something  to  eat,  when  they  set  before  him  some 
dried  clams  and  train  oil,  of  which  he  ate  very  heartily,  and 
encouraged  me  to  follow  his  example,  telling  me  to  eat  much 
and  take  a  great  deal  of  oil  which  would  make  me  strong  and 
fat;  notwithstanding  his  praise  of  this  new  kind  of  food,  1  felt 
no  disposition  to  indulge  in  it,  both  the  smell  and  taste  being 
loathsome  to  me;  and  had  it  been  otherwise,  such  was  the 
pain  I  endured,  the  agination  of  my  mind,  and  the  gloominess 
of  my  reflections,  that  I  should  have  felt  very  little  inclination 
for  eating.  Not  satisfied  with  his  first  refusal  to  deliver  me 
up  to  them  the  people  again  became  clamorous  that  Maquina 
should  consent  to  my  being  killed,  saying  that  not  one  of  ui 
ought  to  be  led  alive  to  give  information  to  others  -of  oui 
eouBtrymen  and  pre-vent  them  from  coming  to  trade,  or  imduet 


;!I 


I 


i!9n 


■pwpppiiyil 


ftO 


MABBATITS    OF    JOHIf    R.    JBWiTt. 


them  to  revenge  the  destruction  of  our  ship,  and  they  tt 
length  became  so  boisterous  that  he  caught  up  a  large  club 
m  a  passion  and  drove  them  all  out  of  the  house.  During 
this  scene  a  son  of  the  king,  of  about  eleven  years  old, 
attracted  no  doubt  by  the  singularity  of  my  appearance,  came 
up  to  me:  I  carressed  him;  he  returned  my  attentions  with 
much  apparent  pleasure,  and  considering  this  as  a  fortunate 
opportunity  to  gain  the  good  will  of  the  father,  I  took  the 
ciiid  on  my  knee,  and  cutting  the  metal  buttons  from  off  the 
coat  I  had  on,  I  tied  them  around  his  neck.  At  this  he  was 
highly  delighted,  and  became  so  much  attached  to  me  that  he 
would  not  quit  me. 

The  king  appeared  much  pleased  with  my  attention  to  his 
son,  and  telling  me  that  it  was  time  to  go  to  sleep,  directed  me 
to  lie  with  his  son  next  to  him,  as  he  was  afraid  lest  some  of 
his  people  would  come  while  he  was  asleep  and  kill  me  with  their 
daggers.  I  laid  down  as  he  ordered  me,  but  neither  the  state 
of  my  mind  nor  the  pain  I  felt  would  allow  me  to  sleep. 
About  midnight  I  was  greatly  alarmed  by  the  approach  of 
one  of  the  natives,  who  came  to  give  information  to  the  king 
that  there  was  one  of  the  wliitc  men  alive,  who  had  knocked 
him  down  as  he  went  on  board  the  ship  at  night.  This  Ma- 
quina  communicated  tome,  giving  tne  to  understand  that  soon 
as  the  sun  rose  he  should  kill  him.  I  endeavored  to  persuade 
him  to  spare  his  life,  but  he  bade  me  be  silent  and  go  to  sleep. 
I  said  nothing  more  but  lay  revolvinjr  in  my  mind  what  method 
I  could  devise  to  save  the  life  of  this  man.  What  a  conso- 
lation thought  I,  what  a  happiness  would  it  prove  tome  in  my 
forlorn  state  among  these  heathen,  to  have  a  Christian  and 
one  of  my  own  countrymen,  for  a  companion,  and  how  great- 
ly would  it  alleviate  and  lighten  the  burden  of  my  slavery. 
As  I  was  thinking  of  some  plan  for  his  preservation,  it  all  at 
once  came  mto  my  mmd  that  this  man  was  probably  the  sail- 
maker  of  the  ship,  named  Thompson,  as  I  had  not  seen  bia 
head  among  those  on  deck,  and  knew  that  he  was  beJow 
at  work  upon  the  sails  not  long  before  the  attack  The  more 
I  thought  of  it  the  more  probable  it  appeared  to  me,  and  aw 
Thompson  was  a  man  nearly  forty  years  of  age,  and  had  an 
old  look,  1  conceived  it  would  be  easy  to  make  him  pass  for 
my  father,  and  by  this  means  prevail  on  Maquinato  spare  his 
life.  Towards  morning  I  fell  into  a  doze,  but  was  awakened 
with  the  first  beams  of  the  sun  by  the  king,  who  told  me  that 
he  was  going  to  kill  the  man  who  was  on  board  the  ship,  and 
ordered  me  to  accompany  him.  I  arose  and  followed  him 
with  me  the  young  prince  his  son. 


t 


■h 


"-'.' 


i> 


' 


MABmATtrt    OV   JOHlf     R.    JVWITT.  ft 

On  coining  to  the  beach  T  found  all  the  men  of  the  tribe 
Msembled.  The  king  addressed  them,  saying  that  one  of  the 
while  men  had  been  found  alive  on  board  the  ship,  and  re- 
quested their  opinion  as  to  saving  hi»  life  or  putting  him  to 
death.  They  were  tinanimouBly  for  the  last:  this  determi- 
nation he  made  known  to  tnn.  Havint^  arranged  my  plan,  1 
asked  him,  pointing  to  the  boy  whom  I  still  held  by  the  hand, 
if  he  loved  his  son,  he  answered  that  he  did;  I  then  asked  the 
ehild  if  he  loved  his  father,  and  on  his  replying  in  the  affirma- 
tive. I  said  *'  and  I  also  love  mine."  I  then  threw  myself  on 
my  knees  at  Maquina's  feet  and  implored  bin  with  tears  m 
my  eyes  to  spare  my  father's  life,  if  the  man  on  board  should 
prove  to  be  him,  telling  him  that  if  he  killed  my  father  it  was 
my  wish  that  he  should  kill  me  too,  and  that  if  he  did  not  I 
would  kill  myself, — and  that  he  would  thus  lose  my  services; 
whereas,  by  sparing  my  father's  life  he  would  preserve  mine, 
which  would  be  of  great  advantage  to  him  by  my  repairing 
and  making  arms  for  him.  Maquina  appeared  moved  by  my 
entreaties  and  promised  .not  to  put  the  man  to  death  if  he 
ii^ould  be  my  father.  He  then  explained  to  his  people  what 
rhad  said,  and  ordered  me  to  go  on  board  and  tell  the  man 
to  come  on  shore.  To  my  unspeakable  joy  on  going  into  the 
hold,  I  found  that  my  conjecture  was  true,  Thompson  was 
there,  he  had  escaped  without  any  injury,  excepting  a  slight 
wound  in  the  nose,  given  him  by  one  of  the  savages  with  a 
knife  as  he  attempted  to  come  on  deck,  during  the  scuffle. 
Finding  the  savages  in  possession  of  the  ship,  as  he  afterwards 
informed  me,  he  secreted  himself  in  the  hold,  hoping  for  some 
chance  to  make  his  escape — but  that  the  Indian  who  came 
on  board  in  the  night  approaching  the  place  where  he  was,  hr 
supposed  himself  discovered,  and  being  determined  to  se'i 
his  life  as  dearly  as  possible,  as  soon  as  he  came  within  h's 
reach,  he  knocked  him  down,  but  the  Indian  immediate  y 
springing  up  ran  off  at  full  speed. — I  informed  him  in  a  f«  w 
words  that  all  our  men  had  been  killed;  that  the  king  lad 
»jreserved  my  life,  and  had  consented  to  spare  his  on  ihr 
supposition  that  he  was  my  father,  an  opinion  which  he  d  u  t 
be  careful  not  to  undeceive  them  in,  as  it  was  his  only  sa'e*/. 
After  giving  him  his  cue,  I  went  on  shore  with  him  and  r/j- 
acnted  him  to  Maquina,  who  immediately  knew  him  '/  be 
the  sail-maker  and  was  much  pleased,  observing  that  he  ,ould 
make  sails  for  his  canoe. — He  then  took  us  to  his  hou  e  and 
ordered  something  for  us  to  eat. 

On  the  24th  and  25th  the  natives  were  busily  emp'i  jred  ii 


^ 


MABRATIVB    OP  JOHN    R     JKWITT. 


taking  the  cargo  out  of  the  ship,  stripping  her  of  her  ^^ails  9n6 
ngffing.  cutting  away  the  spars  and  masts,  and  in  short  ren-' 
dering  hor  as  complete  a  wreck  as  possible,  the  muskets,  am- 
unition,  cloth,  and  all  the  principal  articles  taken  from  her, 
being  deposited  in  the  king's  house. 

While  they  were  thus  occupied,  each  one  taking  what  he 
liked,  my  companion  and  myself  being  obliged  to  aid  them,  I 
thought  it  best  to  secure  the  accounts  and  papers  of  the  ship 
in  hopes  that  on  some  future  day  I  might  have  it  in  my  power 
to  restore  them  to  the  owners.  With  this  view  I  took  posses^ 
sion  of  the  Captain's  writing  desk  which  contained  the  most 
of  them,  together  with  some  paper  and  implements  for  writing. 
I  had  also  the  good  fortune  to  find  a  blank  account  book,  in 
which  I  resolved,  should  it  be  permitted  me,  to  write  au 
account  of  our  capture  and  the  most  remarkable  occurren- 
ces that  I  should  meet  ;vith  during  my  stay. among  these  peo- 
ple, fondly  indulging  the  hope  that  it  would  not  be  long  before 
some  vessel  would  arrive  to  release  us.  I  likewise  found  in 
the  cabin,  a  small  volume  of  sermons,  a  bible,  and  a  common 
prayer  book  of  the  Church  of  England,  which  furnished  me 
and  my  comrade  great  consolation  in  the  midst  of  our  mourn 
ful  servitude,  and  enabled  me,  under  the  favor  of  divine  provi- 
dence, to  support  with  firmness,  the  miseries  of  a  life  which 
I  might  otherwise  have  found  beyond  my  strength  to  endure. 
As  these  people  set  no  value  upon  things  of  this  kind,  1 
found  no  difficulty  in  appropriating  them  to  myself,  by  putting 
them  in  my  chest,  which  though  it  had  been  broken  open  and 
rifled  by  the  bavages,  as  I  still  had  the  key,  I  without  much 
difficulty  secured.  In  this  I  also  put  some  small  tools  belong- 
ing to  the  ship,  with  several  other  articles,  particularly  o,  journai 
kept  by  the  second  mate,  Mr,  Ingraham,  and  a  collection  of 
drawings  and  views  of  places  taken  by  him,  which  I  had  the 
good  fortune  to  preserve,  and  on  my  arrival  at  Boston,  I  gave 
them  to  a  connexion  of  his,  the  honourable  Judge  Dawe«4 
who  sent  them  to  his  family  in  New  York. 

On  the  26th,  two  ships  were  seen  standing  in  for  Friendly 
Cove  At  the  first  appearance  the  inhabitants  were  thrown 
into  great  confusion,  but  soon  collecting  a  number  of  muskets 
and  blunderbusses,  ran  to  the  shore,  from  whence  they  kept  up 
so  brisk  a  fire  at  them,  that  they  were  evidently  afraid  to  ap- 
proach nearer,  and  after  firing  a  few  rounds  o^  grape  shot 
whic'  id  no  harm  to  any  one,  they  wore  ship  an^  stood  oul 
to  sea.  These  ships,  as  I  afterwards  learned,  were  the  Marf 
•ad  Juno  of  Bostoiu 


i> 


WAEIATITB  Of  JOmr   R     JIWITT 


^'^) 


^  *. — - 


r 


They  were  scarcely  out  of  sight  when  Maquina  expressed 
much  regret  that  he  had  permitted  his  people  to  fire  at  them, 
being  apprehensive  that  they  would  give  information  to  others 
in  what  manner  they  had  been  received,  and  prevent  them 
from  coming  to  trade  with  him. 

A  few  days  after  hearing  the  capture  of  the  ship,  there 
arrived  at  Nootka  a  great  number  of  canoes  filled  with  sava- 
ges from  no  less  than  twenty  tribes  to  the  North  and  South. 
Among  those  from  the  North  were  the  Ai-tizarts,  Schoo-mad- 
its,  Neu-wit-ties,  Savin-ars,  Ah-owz-arts,  Mo-watch-its,  Such- 
setts,  Neu-chad-lits,  Mich^la-its  and  Cay-u-quets;  the  most 
of  whom  were  considered  as  tributary  to  Nootka.  From 
the  South,  the  Aytch-arts  and  Esquiates,  also  tributary,  with 
the  Kla-oo-qtates,  and  the  Wickanninish,  a  large  and  power- 
ful tribe  about  two  hundred  miles  distant.  These  last  were 
better  clad  than  most  of  the  others,  and  their  canoes  wrought 
with  much  greater  skill;  they  are  furnished  with  sails  as  well 
as  paddles,  and  with  the  advantage  of  a  fair  breeze,  are  usually 
but  twenty  four  hours  on  their  passage.      ..        :.;.>;> 

Maquina,  who  was  very  proud  of  his  new  acquistion,  wm 
desirous  of  welcoming  these  visitors  in  the  European  manner. 
He  accordingly  ordered  his  men,  as  the  canoes  approached, 
to  assemble  on  the  beach  with  loaded  muskets  and  blunder- 
busses, placing  Thompson  at  fhe  cannon  wh'-sh  had  been 
brought  from  the  ship  and  laid  upon  two  long  sticks  of  timber 
in  front  of  the  village,  then  taking  a  speaking  trumpet  in  his 
hand  he  ascended  with  me,  the  roof  of  his  house  and  began 
drumming  or  beating  upon  the  boards  with  a  stick  roost  vio- 
lently,    rfothiiig  could  be  more  ludicrous  than  the  mppea^ 


■\\ 


W 


"■i"fl"  ' ' 


«M 


ITAIUIATITX    OF    JOHN    R     JBWITT. 


% 


ance  of  this  motley  group  of  savages  collected  on  the  ^hore 
dressed  as  they  were,  with  their  ill-gotten  finery,  in  the  moat 
fantastic  manner,  some  in  women's  smocks,  taken  from  our 
cargo,  others  in  Kotsacks,  (or  cloiiks)  of  blue,  red  or  yellow 
broadcloth,  with  stockings  drawn  over  their  heads,  and  their 
necks  hung  round  with  numbers  of  powder-horns,  shot-bags, 
and  car;)uch-boxes,  some  of  them  having  no  less  than  ten 
muskets  apiece  on  their  shoulders,  and  five  or  six  daggers  in 
their  girdles.  Diverting  indeed  was  it  to  see  them  all  squat 
ted  upon  the  beach,  holding  their  muskets  perpendicularly, 
with  the  butt  pressed  upon  the  sand  instead  of  against  their 
shoulders,  and  in  this  oosition  awaited  the  order  to  fire.  Ma 
quina,  at  last,  called  to  thern  witn  his  trumpet  to  fire,  which 
they  did  in  the  most  awkward  and  timid  manner,  with  theii 
muskets  hard  pressed  upon  the  ground  as  above  mentioned. 
At  the  same  moment  the  cannon  were  filed  by  Thompson,  im- 
mediately on  which  they  threw  themselves  back  and  began  to 
roll  and  tumble  over  the  sand  as  if  they  had  been  shot,  when 
suddenly  springing  up  they  began  a  song  of  triumph  and  run- 
ning backward  and  forward  upon  the  shore,  with  the  wildest 
gesticulations,  boasted  of  their  exploits  and  exhibited  as  tro« 
phies  what  they  had  taken  from  us.  Notwithstanding  the  un- 
pleasantness of  my  situation,  and  the  feelings  that  this  display 
of  our  spoil  excited,  I  could  not  avoid  laughing  at  the  strange 
appearance  of  these  savages,  their  awkward  movements,  and 
j^e  singular  contrast  of  their  dress  and  arms.  .     "  .  ^ 

*  When  the  ceremony  was  concluded,  Maquina  invited  th« 
strangers  to  a  feast  at  his  house,  consisting  of  whale  blubber, 
smoked  herring  spawn,  and  dried' fish  and  train  oil,  of  which 
they  ate  most  plentifully.  The  feast  being  over,  the  trays 
out  of  which  they  ate,  and  other  things,  were  immediately 
removed  to  make  room  for  the  dance  which  was  to  close  the 
entertainment.  This  was  performed  by  Maquina's  son,  the 
young  prince  Sat-sat-sock-sis,  whom  I  have  already  spoken 
of  in  the  following  manner — Three  of  the  principal  chiefs, 
dressed  in  their  otter-skin  mantles,  which  they  wear  only  on 
eitraordinary  occasions  and  at  festivals,  having  their  heads 
covered  over  with  white  down  and  their  faces  highly  painted, 
came  forward  in  the  middle  of  the  room,  each  furnished  with 
a  bag  filled  with  the  white  down,  which  they  scattered  around 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  represent  a  fall  of  snow.  These  were 
followed  by  the  young  prince,  who  was  dressed  in  a  long  piece 
of  yellow  cloth,  wrapped  loosely  around  him,  and  decorated 
with  small  bells,  with  a  cap  on  his  head,  to  which  was  fastened 


WABlUTiVI    OF  JOHN  R.   JflWlTT. 


4 


teuriout  mask  in  imitation  of  a  wolf^s  head,  while  the  rear 
was  brought  up  by  the  kins  himself  m  his  robe  i>f  sea-otter 
ekin,  with  a  small  whistle  m  his  mouthy  and  a  rattle  in  his 
hand,  with  which  he  kept  time  to  a  sort  of  tune  on  his  whistle 
After  passing  very  rapidly  in  this  order  around  the  hou«  ^ 
each  of  them  seated  himself,  except  the  prince,  who  immedi* 
ately  began  his  dance  which  principally  consisted  in  spring 
ing  up  into  the  air  in  a  squat  posture,  and  constantly  turni  ig 
around  on  his  heels  with  great  swiftness  in  a  very  narrow  c  ir« 
ele.  This  dance,  with  a  few  intervals  of  rest,  was  contin  led 
for  about  two  hours,  during  which  the  chiefs  kept  up  a  •  on- 
Btant  drumming  with  sticks  of  about  a  foot  in  length  on  a  ong 
hollow  plank,  which  was,  though  a  very  noisy,  a  most  dc  leful 
kind  of  music.  This  they  accompanied  with  songs,  the  kins 
himself  acting  as  chorister,  while  the  women  applauded  each 
feat  of  activity  in  the  dancer  by  repeating  the  wordF  Wo- 
cash  !  Wocash  !  Tyee  !  that  is  good!  very  good  princ;.  As 
soon  as  the  dance  was  finished  Maquina  began  to  giv  &  pres- 
ents to  the  strangers  in  the  name  of  his  son  Sat-sat  sok-sis. 
These  were  pieces  of  European  cloth  generally  of  <.  fathom 
in  length,  muskets,  powder,  shot,  Stc.  Whenever  he  gav ) 
them  any  thing,  they  had  a  peculiar  manner  of  sneiching  it 
from  him  with  a  very  stern  and  surly  look,  repealing  earh 
time  the  words,  Wocash,  Tyee.  This  I  understood  <  o  be  th  sir 
custom,  and  was  considered  as  a  compliment  whi'.h  ifon<it- 
ted  would  be  supposed  as  a  mark  of  disregard  for  t^e  pres<  nf 
On  this  occasion  Maquina  gave  away  no  less  than  one  hi  mi- 
red muskets,  the  same  number  of  looking  glasses,  f(  ur  hun-ir<;d 
yards  of  cloth,  £  id  twenty  casks  of  powder,  with  c  ther  th  nj^§. 

After  receiving  these  presents,  the  strangers  retired  m 
board  their  canoes,  for  so  numerous  were  they,  t'.at  Mairi  na 
would  not  suffer  any  but  the  chiefs  to  sleep  in  the  h  >i  f  es; 
and  in  order  to  prevent  the  property  from  bcin  g  pilla  ;;r  <  by 
them,  he  ordered  Thompson  and  myself  to  ke  .p  gua  :i ,  du- 
ring the  night,  armed  with  cutlasses  and  pistols. 

In  this  manner  tribes  of  savages  from  variou  a  part  i  o  '  the 
coast,  continued  coming  for  several  days,  bring' ng  wi  \  •  hem, 
blubber  oil,  herring  spawn,  dried  fish  and  cla  lis,  ft  i  /hich 
they  received  in  return,  presents  of  cloth,  &» ..  aft<  ^hich 
they  in  general  immediately  returned  hom ;.  I  j1>  jerved 
that  very  few,  if  any  of  them,  except  the  ch'efs,  had  arms, 
which  I  afterwards  learned  is  the  custom  wi  h  th'  se  people 
whenever  they  come  upon  a  friendly  visit  to  f  rade.  in  '  Tder  to 
■how,  OB  their  approach,  that  their  intentions  are  ,  <w ..  fie 
VOL.  I  10*  ' 


iwpwp 


mm 


IIAmKATITB   or  JOHN    R.   JBWITT 


Early  on  the  morning  of  the  1 8th  the  ship  wjis  discovered 
to  be  on  fire.  This  was  owing  to  one  of  the  savages  having 
gone  on  board  with  a  tire  brand  at  night  for  the  purpose  of 
plunder,  some  sparks  from  which  fell  into  the  hold,  and  com- 
municating with  some  combustibles  soon  enveloped  the  whole 
in  flames.  The  natives  regretted  the  loss  of  the  ship  the 
more  as  a  great  part  of  her  cargo  etill  remained  on  board 
To  my  companion  and  myself  it  was  a  most  melancholy  sight, 
for  with  her  disappeared  from  our  eyes  every  trace  of  a  civi- 
lized country;  but  the  disappointment  we  experienced  wa«i 
still  more  severely  felt,  for  we  had  calculated  on  having  the 
provisions  to  ourselves,  which  would  have  furnished  us  with 
a  stock  for  years,  as  whatever  is  cured  with  salt,  together  with 
most  of  our  other  articles  of  food,  are  never  eaten  by  these 
people.  I  had  luckily  saved  all  my  tools  excepting  the  anvil, 
and  the  bellows  which  was  attached  to  the  forge,  and  from 
their  weight  had  not  been  brought  on  shore.  We  had  also  the 
good  fortune  in  looking  over  what  had  been  taken  from  the 
ship  to  discover  a  box  of  chocolate  and  a  case  of  port  wine, 
which  as  the  Indians  were  not  fond  of  it  proved  a  great  com- 
fort to  us  for  some  time,  and  from  one  of  the  natives  I  ob- 
tained a  nautical  almanack,  which  had  belonged  to  the  Cap- 
tain, and  which  was  of  great  use  ti)  me  in  determining  the 
time. 

About  two  days  after,  on  examining  their  booty,  the  savaj^^ea 
tbund  a  tierce  of  rum  with  which  they  were  highly  delighied, 
as  they  have  become  very  fond  of  spirituous  liquors  since 
their  intercourse  with  the  whites. — This  was  towards  evening, 
and  Maquina  having  assembled  all  th'e  men  at  his  house, 
gave  a  feast,  at  which  they  drank  vso  freely  of  the  rum,  that  in 
a  short  time,  they  liecame  so  extremeiy  w'iia  and  frantic  that 
Thompson  and  myself,  apprehensive  for  our  safety,  thought  it 
prudent  to  retire  privately  into  the  woods,  where  we  continued 
till  past  midnight.  On  our  return  we  found  the  women  gone, 
who  are  always  very  temperate,  drinking  nothing  but  water^ 
having  quitted  the  house  and  gone  to  the  other  huts  to  sleep, 
flo  terrified  were  tney  at  the  conduct  of  the  men,  who  all  lay 
stretched  out  on  the  floor  in  a  state  of  complete  intoxication 
How  easy  in  this  situation  would  it  have  been  for  us  to  have 
dispatched  or  made  ourselves  masters  of  our  enemies,  had 
there  been  any  ship  near  to  which  we  could  have  escaped, 
Vut  as  we  were  situated,  the  attempt  would  have  been  mad- 
neai.  The  wish  of  revenge  was  however  less  strongly  im- 
^roModl  on  my  mind,  than  what  appeared  to  be  to  evident  ip 


MimEATin  Of  JOHIf  R.    JIWtTT. 


ftl 


<  V. 


iaterpositioii  of  divine  Providence  in  our  favor.  How  little 
can  man  penetrate  its  designs,  ana  how  frequently  is  that  in- 
tended as  a  blessing  which  he  views  as  a  curse.  The  burninc 
of  our  ship  which  we  had  lamented  so  much,  as  depriving  us  of 
so  many  comforts,  now  appeared  to  ua  in  a  very  different 
light,  for  had  the  savages  got  possession  of  the  rum  of  which 
there  were  nearly  twenty  puncheons  on  board,  we  must  inevi- 
tably have  fallen  a  sacrifice  to  their  fury  in  some  of  their  rao- 
cients  of  intoxication.  This  cask  fortunately  and  i  cat:e  of 
gin  was  all  the  spirits  they  obtained  from  the  ship.  To  pre^ 
vent  the  recurrence  of  similar  danger  I  examined  the  cask, 
and  finding  still  a  considerable  quantity  remaining,  I  bored 
a  small  hole  in  the  bottom  with  a  gimblet,  which  before  morn- 
inffto my  great  joy  completely  emptied  it 

By  this  time  the  wound  in  my  head  began  to  be  much  better, 
so  that  I  could  enjoy  some  sleep  which  I  had  been  almost 
deprived  of  by  the  pain,  and  though  1  was  still  feeble  from 
the  loss  of  blood  and  my  sufferings,  I  found  myself  sufficiently 
well  to  go  to  work  at  my  trade,  in  making  for  the  king  and  his 
wives  bracelets  and  other  small  ornaments  of  copper  or  steel, 
and  in  repairing  the  arms,  making  use  of  a  large  square  stone 
for  the  anvil,  and  heating  my  metal  in  a  common  wood  fire 
This  was  very  gratifyi'ng  to  Maquina  and  his  women  particu- 
larly, and  secured  me  their  good  will. 

In  the  mean  time  great  numbers  from  the  other  tribes  kept 
continually  flocking  to  Nootka,  bringing  with  them  in  ex- 
change for  the  ship's  plunder  such  quantities  of  provision, 
that  notwithstanding  the  little  success  that  Maquina  met  with 
in  whaling  this  season,  and  their  gluttonous  waste,  always 
eating  to  excess  when  they  have  it,  regardless  of  the  morrow, 
seldom  did  the  natives  experience  any  want  of  food  during 
the  summer.  As  to  myself  and  companion  we  fared  as  they 
did,  never  wanting  for  such  provisions  as  they  had,  though  we 
were  obliged  to  eat  it  cooked  in  their  manner  and  with  train 
oil  as  a  sauce,  a  circumstance  not  a  little  unpleasant,  both 
from  their  uncleanly  mode  of  cooking,  and  many  of  the  arti- 
cles of  their  food  which  to  an  European  are  very  disgusting, 
but,  as  the  saying  is,  hunger  will  break  through  stone  walls, 
and  we  found  at  times  in  the  blubber  of  sea  animals  and  the 
flesh  of  the  dog  fish,  loath.some  as  it  in  general  was,  a  very 
acceptable  repast.  But  much  oftener  would  poor  Thompson 
wbo  was  no  favorite  with  them,  have  suffered  from  hunger, 
had  it  not  been  for  my  furnishing  him  with  provisions — This 
I  was  enabled  to  do  from  my  work,  Maquina  allowing  roe  th« 


T^ 


\^'vt\'. 


^im^ 


iPiHRfiPPVPPIIIP 


w^ 


■ABBATITS  OV  JOHN    ft.   iftWITT 


pri'/fiege.  when  not  employed  for  him,  to  work  for  myself  ii 
making  bracelets  and  other  ornaments  of  copper,  fish-hookb, 
da|];gorp,  &c.  either  to  sell  to  the  tribes  who  visited  us,  or  for 
ou)'  own  chiefs,  who  on  these  occasions  besides  supplying  me 
wit'i  as  much  as  I  wished  to  eat,  and  a  sufficiency  for  Thomp« 
son.,  almost  always  niade  me  a  present  of  an  European  gar- 
moftt  taken  from  the  ship,  or  some  fathoms  of  cloth,  which 
were  made  up  by  my  comrade,  and  enabled  us  to  go  comfort- 
ably clad  for  some  time,  or  small  bundles  of  penknives,  ra- 
zors, scissors.  8(.a  for  one  of  which  we  could  always  procure 
from  the  natives  two  or  three  fresh  salmon,  cod,  or  halibut; 
or  dried  fish,  clams  and  horring  spawn  from  the  stranger 
tribes;  and  had  we  only  been  permitted  to  cook  them  afler 
our  own  way,  as  we  had  pots,  and  other  utensils  belonging  to 
the  ship,  we  should  not  have  had  much  cause  of  complaint  in 
this  respect,  but  so  tenacious  are  these  people  of  their  cus- 
toms, particularly  in  the  article  of  food  and  cooking,  that  the 
king  always  obliged  me  to  give  whatever  provisions  I  bought 
to  the  women  to  cook — and  one  day  finding  Thompson  and 
myself  on  the  shore  employed  in  boiling  down  sea-water  into 
salt,  on  being  told  what  it  was,  he  was  very  much  displeased, 
and  taking  the  little  we  had  procured,  threw  it  into  the  sea. 
In  one  instance  alone,  as  a  particular  favour,  he  allowed  me 
to  boil  some  salmon  in  my  own  way,  when  I  invited  him  and 
his  queen  to  cat  with  me;  they  tasted  it,  but  did  not  like  it, 
and  made  their  meal  of  some  of  it  cookec^in  their  country 
fashion. 

In  May,  the  weather  became  uncouiinonly  mild  uid  pleas- 
ant, and  so  forward  was  vegetation  that  \  picked  a  plenty  of 
strawberries  by  the  middle  of  the  month.  Of  this  fruit  there 
are  great  quantities  on  this  coast,  and  1  found  them  a  most 
delicious  treat.  My  health  had  now  become  almost  re-estab- 
lished, my  wound  being  so  far  healed  that  it  gave  me  no  far- 
ther trouble.  I  had  never  failed  to  wash  it  regularly  once  a 
day  in  sea  water,  and  to  dress  it  with  a  fresh  leaf  of  tobacco, 
which  I  obtained  from  the  native  s,  who  had  taken  it  from  the 
ship,  but  made  no  use  of  it.  TLis  was  all  the  dressing  I  gave 
1)  except  applying  to  it  two  or  three  times,  a  little  loaf  sugar, 
which  Maquina  gave  me,  in  order  to  remove  some  proud 
flesh  which  prevented  it  from  closing.  My  cure  would  doubt- 
less have  been  much  sooner  effected  had  I  have  been  in  a  civi- 
lized country,  where  I  could  have  had  it  dressed  by  a  surgeoo 
and  properly  attended. to.  But  alas  !  I  had  no  good  Samari- 
Ub  witll  Qil  «nd  wine  to  bind  uu  my  wounds,  and  fortwuBtf 


re 


NAKAATITB  OF  JOHN  R.  JBWITT  ttf 

might  T  even  esteem  mvflclf  that  T  wnn  per.nitted  to  dreM  it, 
lor  the  utmost  that  I  cuuld  expect  from  the  natives  wad  com- 
pasHJon  for  my  misfortunes,  which  I  indeed  experienced  from 
the  women,  particularly  the  queen,  or  favorite  wife  of  Maqui- 
na,  the  mother  of  Sat-sut-sok-sis,  who  uaeil  frequently  to  point 
^o  my  head  and  manifest  much  kindness  and  solicitude  for  me. 
f  must  do  Maquina  the  justice  to  acknowledge  that  he  always 
appeared  desirous  of  sparing  me  any  labor  which  he  believed 
might  be  hurtful  to  me,  frequently  inquiring  in  an  a/fectionate 
manner,  S  my  head  pained  me.  As  for  the  others,  some  of 
the  chiefs  excepted,  they  cared  little  what  became  of  me,  and 
probably  would  have  been  gratified  with  my  death. 

My  health  being  at  length  re-established  and  my  wound 
healed,  Thompson  became  very  importunate  for  me  to  begin 
my  journal,  and  as  I  had  no  ink,  proposed  to  cut  his  finger  to 
supply  me  with  blood  for  the  purpose  whenever  I  should  want 
it.  On  the  first  of  June  I  accordingly  commenced  a  regular 
diary,  but  had  no  occasion  to  make  use  of  the  expedient  sug-* 
gested  by  my  comrade,  having  found  a  much  better  substitute 
in  the  expressed  juice  of  a  certain  plant,  which  furnished  me 
with  a  bright  green  color  and  afler  making  a  number  of  trials 
I  at  length  succeeded  in  obtaining  a  very  tolerable  ink,  by 
boiling  the  juice  of  the  blackberry  with  a  mixture  of  finely 
powdered  charcoal,  and  filtering  it  through  a  cloth.  This  I 
aflerwards  preserved  in  bottles  and  found  it  answer  very  well, 
so  true  is  it  that  "  necessity  is  the  mother  of  invention."  As 
for  quills  I  found  no  difPculty  in  procuring  them,  whenever  I 
wanted,  from  the  crow.^  t.nd  ravens  with  which  the  beach  was 
almost  always  covered,  attracted  by  the  ofial  of  whales,  seals, 
&c.  and  which  were  so  tame  that  I  could  easily  kill  them  with 
stones,  while  a  large  clam  shell  furnished  me  with  an  ink 
stand. 

The  extreme  solicitude  of  Thompson  that  i  should  begin 
my  journal,  might  be  considered  as  singular  in  a  man,  who 
neither  knew  how  to  read  or  write,  a  circumstance  by  the 
way,  very  .icommon  in  an  American,  were  we  less  acquaint- 
ed with  the  force  of  habit,  he  having -been  for  many  y^ars  at 
sea,  and  accustomed  to  consider  the  keeping  of  a  journal,  as 
a  thing  indispensable.  This  man  was  born  in  Philadelphia, 
and  at  eight  years  old  ran  away  from  his  friends  and  entered 
as  a  cabin  boy  on  board  a  ship  bound  to  London;  on  his  arri- 
val there  finding  himself  in  distress,  he  engaged  as  an  ap- 
prentice to  the  captain  of  a  Collier,  frc  m  whence  he  r'as  im- 
pressed on  board  an  £nglish  man  of  war,  and  continued  m 


|i.uji^i»iini'»imB!f 


If AEBATtTI  or  JOHIf  R.   JBWItT 


the  Britiih  naval  service  about  twenty  serdn  yoara,  during 
v»iiich  ho  was  present  at  the  engagement  undei  Lord  Howe 
with  the  French  fleet  in  June,  1794,  and  when  peace  wai 
made  between  England  and  France  waiii  discharged.  He 
was  a  very  Htrong  and  powerful  man,  an  expert  boxer,  and 
perfectly  fearless,  indeed  so  little  was  his  dread  of  danger, 
that  when  irritated  he  was  wholly  regardless  of  his  Hfh  Of 
this  the  following  will  furnish  a  sufficient  proof 

One  evening  about  the  middle  of  April,  as  I  was  at  the  house 
of  one  of  the  chiefs,  where  I  had  been  employed  on  some  work 
for  him,  word  was  brouglit  me  that  Maquina  was  going  to  kill 
Thompson.  1  immediately  hurried  home,  where  1  found  the 
king  in  the  act  of  presenting  a  loaded  musket  at  Thompson, 
who  was  standing  before  him  with  his  breast  bared  and  calling 
on  him  to  Bre.  I  instantly  stepped  up  to  Maqjina,  who  was 
foaming  with  rage,  and  addressing  him  in  soothing  words, 
beggeahim  for  my  sake  not  to  kill  my  father,  and  at  length 
succeeded  in  taking  the  musket  from  him  and  persuading  him 
to  sit  down.  On  inquiring  into  the  cause  of  his  anger,  I 
learned  that  while  Thompson  was  lighting  the  lamps  in  the 
king's  room,  Maquina  having  substituted  ours  for  their  pine 
totches,  some  of  the  boys  began  to  teaze  him  running  round 
him,  and  pulling  him  by  the  trowsers,  among  the  most  for- 
ward of  whom  was  the  young  prince.  This  caused  Thomp- 
son to  spill  the  oil,  which  threw  him  »nto  such  a  passion,  that 
without  caring  what  he  did,  he  struck  the  prince  so  violent  a 
blow  in  hi3  face  with  his  fist  as  to  knock  him  down.  The 
sensation  excited  amcng  the  savages  by  an  act,  which  was 
considered  as  the  highest  indignity,  and  a  profanation  of  the 
sacred  person  of  majesty  may  be  easily  conceived.  The  king 
was  immediately  acquainted  with  it,  who,  on  coming  in  and 
seeing  his  son's  face  covered  with  blood,  seized  a  musket 
and  began  to  load  it,  determined  to  take  instant  revenge  on 
the  audacious  offender,  and  had  I  arrived  a  few  minutes  later 
than  1  did,  my  companion  would  certainly  have  paid  with  hiu 
life  for  his  rash  and  violent  conduct.  I  found  th«^  utmost  diffi- 
culty in  {.acifyiag  Maquina,  who  for  a  long  time  after  could 
not  fcrgive  ^i'homps'm,  but  would  repeatedly  say,  "John  yo»» 
die — Thompson  kill  ?"  But  to  appease  the  king  was  not 
all  that  was  necessary.  In  consequence  of  the  insult  oflfered 
to  their  prince,  the  whole  tribe  held  a  council,  in  which  it 
waa  unanimously  reserved  that  Thompson  shouid  be  put  to 
death  in  the  moin  cruel  manner.  I  however  interceded  lo 
•tronuously  with  Maquina,  for  bin  life,  tellinf  him  that  if  Ky 


li 


RAJUutiTi  ov  Jomc  m  Jiwirt.  li 

father  was  killed,  1  was  determined  not  to  iurrire  him,  that 
he  refused  to  deliver  him  up  to  the  vengeance  of  his  people, 
saying,  that  for  John's  sake  they  roust  consent  to  let  him  live 
The  prince,  who,  after  I  had  succeeded  in  calming  his  father, 
gave  me  an  account  of  what  had  happened,  told  me  that  it  waa 
wholly  out  of  regard  for  me,  as  Thoinpson  was  my  father, 
that  his  life  had  been  spared,  for  ithat  if  any  one  of  the  tribe 
should  dare  to  lift  a  hand  against  hini  in  anger,  he  would  most 
certainly  be  put  to  death.       •  \ 

Yet  even  this  narrow  escape  produced  not  much  effect  on 
Thompson,  or  induced  him  to  restrain  the  violence  of  his  tem- 
per. For  not  many  weeks  after,  he  was  guilty  of  a  similar 
mdiscretion,  in  striking  the  eldest  son  of  h  chief,  who  waa 
about  eighteen  years  old,  and  according  to  their  custom  was 
considered  as  a  Tyee,  or  chief  himself,  inconsequence  of  hia 
having  provoked  him  by  calling  him  a  white  slave.  This  affair 
caused  great  commotion  in  the  village,  and  the  tribe  was  very 
clamorous  for  his  death,  but  Maquina  would  not  consent.  I 
used  frequently  to  remonstrate  with  him  on  the  imprudence 
of  his  conduct  and  beg  him  to  gover  ;.  his  temper  better,  tell- 
ing him  that  it  was  our  duty  since  our  lives  were  in  the  pow- 
er of  these  savages,  to  do  nothing  lo  exasperate  them.  But 
all  I  could  say  on  this  point  availed  iiUle,  for  so  bitter  was 
the  hate  he  felt  for  them,  which  he  was  .mo  way  backward  in 
manifesting  both  by  his  looks  and  actions,  ti.?t  h^  declared  he 
never  would  submit  to  their  i*7sults,  and  that  ^e  had  much 
rather  be  killed  than  b-?  obligee,  to  live  among  them,  adding 
that  he  orily  wished  he  had  a  good  vessel  and  some  guns,  ap.d 
he  would  destroy  the  wholo  of  the  cursed  race  ;  for  to  a 
brave  sailor  like  him,  who  had  fought  the  French  and  Span- 
iards with  glory,  it  was  a  punishment  worse  than  death  to  be 
a  slave  to  such  a  poor,  ignorant,  despicable  set  of  beings. 

As  for  myself  I  thought  very  differently.  Afler  returning 
thanks  to  that  merciful  Being  who  had  in  so  wonderful  a  m&ii- 
ner  softened  the  hearts  of  these  savages  in  my  favour,  I  had 
('letermined  from  the  first  of  my  capture  to  adopt  a  concilia- 
ting conduct  towards  them,  and  conform  myself,  as  far  as  was 
in  my  power,  to  their  customs  and  mode  of  thinking,  trusting 
that  the  same  divine  goodness  that  had  rescued  me  from 
death,  would  not  always  suffer  mv;  to  languish  in  captivity 
among  these  heathen.  With  this  view  I  sought  to  gfiin  their 
good  will  by  a'ways  endeavouring  to  assume  a  cheerful  coun- 
tenance, appearing  pleased  with  tbair  sports  and  >uffoon 
trickf,  making  little  ornaments  for  tiie  wives  v'uid  chiidren  q( 


t39 


HARRATIVB   O?   JOar»    »     J4W1TT. 


•i' 


the  chiefs,  by  which  means  T  became  quite  a  favourite  wilJj 
them,  and  fish  hooks,  daggers,  &c.  for  themselves.  As  a  far 
ther  recommendation  to  their  favour,  and  what  might  eventu- 
ally prove  of  the  utmost  importance  to  us,  I  resolved  to  learn 
their  language,  which  in  the  course  of  a  few  months  rv'isidence 
I  so  far  succeedei^  in  acquiring  as  to  be  able  in  ger.eral  to 
make  myself  understood.  I  likewise  tried  to  persuade 
Thompson  to  learn  it,  as  what  might  prove  necessary  to  him. 
But  he  refused,  saying,  that  he  hated  both  them  and  their 
cursed  lingo  and  would  have  nothing  to  do  with  it. 

By  pursuing  this  conciliatory  plan,  so  far  did  I  gain  the 
good  will  of  the  savages,  particularly  the  chiefs,  that  I  scarce- 
ly ever  failed  experiencing  kind  treatment  from  them,  and 
was  receive!  with  a  smile  of  welcome  at  their  houses,  where 
I  was  always  sure  of  having  something  given  me  to  eat, 
whenever  they  had  it,  and  many  a  good  meal  have  I  had  from 
them,  whe..  they  themselves  were  short  of  provisions  and  suf- 
fering for  the  want  of  them.  And  it  was  a  common  practice 
with  me  when  we  had  nothing  to  eat  at  home  which  happened 
not  unfrequently  during  my  stay  among  them,  to  go  around 
the  village,  and  on  noticing  a  smoke  from  any  of  the  houses, 
which  denoted  that  they  were  cooking,  enter  in  without  cere- 
mony and  ask  them  for  something,  which  I  was  never  refused. 
Few  nations  indeed,  are  there,  so  very  rude  and  unfeeling, 
'  horn  constant  mild  treatment  and  an  attention  to  please,  will 
not  mollify  and  obtain  from  them  son^e  return  of  kind  attention. 
This,  the  treatment  I  received  from  these  people  may  exem- 
plify, for  not  numerous,  even  among  those  calling  themselves 
civilized,  are  there  instances  to  be  found  of  persons  depriving 
Chemselves  of  food  to  give  it  to  a  stranger,  whatever  may  be 
bic  merits. 

Though  my  comrade  and  myself  fared  as  well,  and  even 
better  than  we  could  have  expected  among  these  people,  con- 
sidering their  customs  and  mode  of  living,  yet  our  fears  lest 
no  ship  would  come  to  our  release,  and  that  we  should  never 
more  behold  a  Christian  country,  were  to  us  a  source  of  con- 
stant pain.  Our  principal  consolation  in  this  gloomy  state, 
T'as  to  go  on  Sundays,  whenever  the  weather  would  permit, 
Co  the  borders  of  a  fresh  water  pond,  about  a  mile  from  the 
village,  where,  afler  bathing,  and  putting  on  clean  clothes, 
we  would  seat  ourselves  under  the  shade  of  a  beautiful  pine, 
while  I  read  some  chapters  in  the  Bible,  and  the  prayers  ap- 
pointed by  our  Church  for  the  day,  ending  our  devotions  with 
*  fervent  prayer  to  the  Almighty  that  he  would  deign  still  H 


i 


th 

r 
a- 
n 
:e 
;o 

\€ 
L 

ir 
e 

d 

3 
1 


! 


■4IUUTITB   or   JOHN    R.    JlWff f. 


ratch  over  ard  preserve  our  liveS)  rescue  us  irom  the  hands 
of  the  ravage },  and  permit  us  once  more  to  behold  a  Christian 
and.  In  this  manner  were  the  greater  part  of' our  Sundays 
passed  at  Nootka  ;  and  I  felt  grateful  to  heaven,  that  amiast 
our  other  suiTerings,  we  were  at  least  allowed  the  pleasure  of 
offering  up  our  devotions  unmolested,  for  Maquina,  on  my  ex* 
plaining  to  him  as  well  ab  was  in  my  power  the  reason  of  out 
thus  retiring  at  this  time,  far  from  objecting,  readily  consent- 
ed to  it.  The  pond  above  mentioned  was  small,  not  more 
than  a  quarter  of  -i  mile  in  breadth  and  of  no  great  length, 
the  water  being  very  clear,  though  not  of  great  depth,  and 
bordered  by  a  beautiful  forest  of  pine,  fir,  elm,  and  beach 
free  from  bushes  and  underwood — a  most  delightful  retreat, 
which  was  rendered  still  more  attractive  by  a  great  number 
of  birds  that  frequented  it,  particularly  the  humming  bird. 
Thither  we  used'  to  go  to  wash  our  clothes,  and  felt  secure 
from  any  intrusion  from  the  natives,  as  they  rarely  visited 
it  except  for  the  purpose  of  cleansing  themselves  of  their 
paint. 

In  July  we  at  length  thought  that  the  hope  of  delivery  we 
had  so  long  anxiously  indulged,  was  on  the  point  of  being 
gratified.  A  ship  appeared  in  the  offing,  but  alas,  our  fond 
hopes  vanished  almost  as  soon  as  formed ;  for  instead  of 
standing  in  for  the  shore  she  passed  to  the  northward  and 
soon  disappeared.  I  shall  not  attempt  to  describe  our  disap- 
pointment,— my  heart  sunk  within  me,  md  I  felt  as  though  it 
was  my  destiny  never  more  to  behold  a  Christian  face.  Four 
days  after  there  occurred  a  tremendous  storm  of  thunder  and 
lightning,  during  which  the  natives  manifested  great  alarm 
and  terror,  the  whole  tribe,  hurrying  to  Maquina^s  house, 
where  instead  of  keeping  within,  they  seated  themselves  on 
the  roof  amid  the  severest  of  the  tempest,  drumming  upon 
the. boards,  and  looking  up  to  heaven,  while  the  king  bsat 
the  long  hollow  plank,  singing  and,  as  he  afterwards  told  me, 
begging  Quahootze,  the  name  they  give  to  God,  not  to  kill 
them,  in  which  he  was  accompanied  by  the  whole  tribe ; 
liiis  singrig  and  drumming  was  continued  until  the  storm 
•bated. 

As  the  summer  drew  near  its  close,  we  began  to  suffer 
from  the  frequent  want  of  food,  which  was  principally  owing 
to  Maquina  and  the  chiefs  being  out  whaling,  in  which  -he 
would  not  permit  Thompson  and  myself  to  join,  lest  we  should 
make  our  escape  to  some  of  the  neighboring  tribes.  At  these 
limes  the  women  seldom  or  ever  cook  aor  provision,  and  ws 


IM 


IIAARAtlTB   or  JOHN   ft.   JBWlfft. 


■  irfc 


were  often  hungry^  but  were  sornetimes  fortunate  enough  ti 
procjre  secretly,  a  piece  of  salmon,  some  other  fish,  spawn, 
or  even  blubber,  which,  by  boiling  in  salt  water,  with  a  few 
onions  and  turnips,  the  remains  of  the  Spanish  garden,  or 
young  nettles  and  other  herbs,  furnished  us  a  delicious  repast 
in  private.  In  the  mean  time,  we  frequently  received  ac- 
counts from  the  tribes  who  came  to  Nootka,  both  from  the 
north  and  south,  of  there  being  vessels  on  the  coast,  and  were 
advised  by  their  chiefs  to  make  our  escape,  who  also  promised 
us  their  aid,  and  to  put  us  on  board.  These  stories,  how* 
ever,  as  I  afterwards  learned,  were  almost  all  of  them  without 
any  foundation,  and  merely  invented  by  these  people  with  a 
view  to  get  us  into  their  power  in  order  to  make  slaves  of  us 
themselves,  or  to  sell  us  to  others.  But  I  was  still  more 
strongly  solicited  to  leave  Nootka  by  a  woman.  This  was  a 
Wickinninish  princess,  a  younger  sister  of  Maquina's  wife, 
who  was  there  Oi  -••  ''"it.  I  had  the  good  fortune,  if  it  may 
be  so  called,  to  be-.  quite  a  favorite  with  her.     She  ap- 

peared much  interested  for  me — asked  me  many  questions  re- 
specting my  country,  if  I  had  a  mother  and  sister  at  home, 
and  if  they  would  not  grieve  for  my  absence.  Her  complex- 
ion was  fairer  than  that  of  the  women  in  general,  and  her  fea- 
tures more  regular,  and  she  would  have  been  quite  handsome 
had  it  not  been  for  a  defect  in  one  of  her  eyes,  the  sight  of 
which  had  been  injured  by  some  accident,  the  reason,  as  Ma- 
quina  told  me  why  she  had  not  been  married,  a  defect  of  this 
kind  being  by  these  savages  considered  as  almost  an  insuper- 
able objection.  She  urged  me  repeatedly  to  return  with  her, 
telling  me  that  the  Wickirninish  were  much  better  than  the 
Nootkians  ;  that  her  father  would  treat  me  more  kindly  than 
Maquina,  give  me  better  food  and  clothes,  and  finally  put 
me  on  board  one  of  my  own  country  vessels.  I  felt,  how- 
ever, little  disposed  to  accompany  her,  considering  my  situa- 
tion with  Maquina  full  as  eligible  as  it  woiL^ld  be  with  the 
Wickinninish,  if  not  better,  notwithstanding  all  she  said  ic 
the  contrary. 

On  the  t^^ird  of  September,  the  whole  tribe  quitted  Nootka, 
according  to  their  constant  practice,  in  order  to  pass  the  au- 
tumn and  winter  at  Tashees  and  Cooptee,  the  latter  lying 
about  thirty  miles  up  the  Sound  in  a  deep  bay,  the  navigation 
of  which  is  very  dangerous  from  the  great  number  of  reefs 
and  rocks  with  which  it  abounds.  On  these  occasions  every 
thing  is  taken  with  them,  even  the  planks  of  their  houses,  in 
•rder  to  3over  their  new  dwellings.     To  an  European,  aucJi  a 


I 


KABKATITB   OP  JOHN   R.    JIWITT. 


removal  exhibits  n  scene  quite  novel  and  strange :  eanoM 
piled  up  with  boards  and  boxes,  and  filled  with  men,  women 
and  children  of  all  ranks  and  sizes,  making  the  air  resound 
with  their  criss  and  aongs.  At  these  times,  as  well  as  when 
they  have  occasion  to  go  some  distance  from  their  houses,  the 
infants  are  usually  suspended  across  the  mother's  shoulders, 
in  a  kind  of  rradle  or  hammock,  formed  of  bark,  of  about  six 
iches  in  depth,  and  of  the  length  of  the  child,  by  means  of  a 
leather  band  inserted  through  loops  on  its  edges  ;  this  they 
also  keep  them  in  when  at  home,  in  order  to  preserve  them  in  a 
strait  position  and  prevent  any  distortion  of  the  limbs,  most  pro- 
babl)  a  principal  cause  of  these  people  being  so  seldom  de- 
fCi'med  or  crooked.  The  long  boat  of  our  ship  having  been 
repaired  and  furnished  with  a  sail  by  Thompson,  Alaquina 
gave  us  the  direction  of  it,  we  being  better  acquainted  with 
managing  it  than  his  people,  and  afler  loading  her  as  deep  as 
she  could  swim,  we  proceeded  in  company  with  them  to  the 
north,  quitting  Nootka  with  heavy  hearts,  as  we  could  enter- 
tain no  hopes  of  release  until  our  return,  no  ships  ever  com- 
ing to  that  part  of  the  coast.  Passing  Cooptee,  which  is  situ- 
ated on  the  southern  bank,  just  within  the  mouth  of  a  small 
river  flowing  from  the  east  in  a  narrow  valley  at  the  foot  of  a 
mountain,  we  proceeded  about  fifteen  miles  up  this  stream  to 
Tashees,  between  a  range  of  lofty  hills  on  each  side,  which 
extend  a  great  distance  inland,  and  are  covered  with  the  finest 
forest  trees  of  the  country.  Immediately  on  our  arrival,  we 
all  went  to  work  very  diligently  in  covering  the  houses  with 
the  planks  we  had  brought,  the  frames  being  ••eady  erected, 
these  people  never  pretending  to  remove  the  timher.  In  a 
very  short  time  the  work  was  completed,  and  we  wer6  estab- 
Mshed  in  our  new  residence. 

Tashees  is  pleasantly  situated  and  in  a  most  secure  posi- 
tion from  the  winter  storms,  in  a  small  vale  or  hollow  on  the 
fli:)uth  shore,  at  the  foot  of  a  mountain.  The  spot  on  which  it 
fl  ands  is  level,  and  the  soil  very  fine,  the  country  in  its  vicin- 
ity abounding  with  the  most  romantic  views,  charmmgly  di- 
versified, and  fine  streams  of  water  falling  in  beautiful  caa- 
cades  from  the  mountains.  The  river  at  this  place  is  about 
twenty  rods  in  width,  and,  in  its  deepest  part,  from  nine  to 
twelve  feet.  This  village  is  the  extreme  point  of  navigation, 
as  immediately  beyond,  the  river  becomes  much  more  shallow^ 
and  is  broken  into  rapids  and  falls.  The  houses  here  arc 
placed  in  a  line  like  those  at  .Xootka,  but  closer  together,  the 
•tiuation  being  more  confined,  they  are  also  smaller,  in  cons*- 


■^ 


HABEATITB  OF  JOHN  ft.   JIWITT. 


Quence  of  '^hich  we  wore  much  crowded,  and  ineommo^ki 
K>r  room. 

The  principal  object  in  coming  to  this  place,  is  the  facilitj 
it  affords  these  ..people  of  providing  their  winter  stock  of  pro* 
visions,  which  consists  principally  of  salmon,  and  the  spawn 
of  that  fish  ;  to  which  may  be  added  herring  and  sprats,  and 
herring  spawn.  The  latlei^  however,  is  always  procured  by 
them  at  iNootka,  previous  to  their  quitting  it.  At  the  seasons 
of  spawning,  which  are  early  in  the  spring  and  the  last  of  Au- 
gust, they  collect  a  great  quantity  of  pine  branches,  which  they 
place  in  different  parts  of  the  Cove  at  the  depth  of  about  ten 
feet  "^nd  secure  them  by  means  of  heavy  stones.  On  these 
the  herring  deposit  their  spawn  in  immense  quantities  ;  the 
bushes  are  then  taken  up,  the  spawn  stripped  from  the 
branches,  and  after  being  wauned  and  freed  from  the  pine 
leaves  by  the  women,  is  dried  and  put  up  in  baskets  for  use 
It  is  considered  as  their  greatest  delicacy,  and  eaten  both 
cooked  and  raw  :  in  the  former  case,  being  boiled  and  eaten 
with  train  oil,  and  in  the  latter,  mixed  uj)  with  cold  water 
alone. 

The  salmon  are  taken  at  Tashees,  principally  in  pots  or 
wears.  Their  method  of  taking  them  in  wears  is  thus  : — ^A 
pot  of  twenty  feet  in  length,  and  from  four  to  five  feet  diameter 
at  the  mouth,  is  formed  of  a  great  number  of  pine  splinters 
which  are  strongly  secured,  an  inch  and  a  half  from  each 
other,  by  means  of  hoops  made  of  flexible  twigs,  and  placed 
about  eight  inches  apart.  At  the  end  it  tapers  almost  to  a 
point,  near  which  is  a  small  wicker  door,  for  the  purpose  of 
taking  out  the  fish.  This  pot  or  wear  is  placed  at  the  foot  of 
a  fall  or  rapid,  where  the  water  is  not  very  deep,  and  the  fish 
driven  from  above  with  long  poles,  are  interrupted  and  caught 
in  the  wear,  from  whence  they  are  taken  into  the  canoes.  la 
this  manner  I  have  seen  more  than  seven  hundred  salmon 
caught  in  the  space  of  fifleen  minutes.  I  have  also  sometimes 
known  a  few  of  the  striped  bass  taken  in  this  manner,  but 
rarely. 

At  such  times  there  is  great  feasting  and  merriment  amonc 
them.  The  women  and  female  slaves  being  busily  employed 
in  cooking,  or  in  curing  the  fish  for  their  winter  stock,  which 
is  done  by  cutting  off  the  heads  and  tails,  splitting  them,  tak- 
ing out  the  back  bone,  and  hanging  them  up  in  their  houses 
to  dry.  They  also  dry  the  nalibut  and  cod,  but  these  instead 
of  curing  whole,  they  cut  up  into  small  pieces  for  that  pur 
pose,  and  expose  to  the  sun      The  spawn  of  the  saloMmt 


J 


MAREATIVI   OF  JOHN   E.   JBWITT. 


ih 


4 


wnteh  IS  a  principal  article  of  their  provitfion^  they  take  out, 
and  without  any  other  preparation,  throw  it  into  their  tube^ 
where  they  Ijave  it  to  stand  and  ferment,  for  though  they  fre- 
quently eat  it  fresh,  they  esteem  it  much  more  when  it  haa  ac- 
quired a  strong  taste,  and  one  of  the  greatest  favors  they  can 
confer  on  any  person,  is  to  invite  him  to  eat  Quakamiss,  the 
name  they  give  this  food,  though  scarcely  any  thing  can  be 
more  repugnant  to  an  European  palate,  than  it  is  in  this  state  ] 
and  whenever  they  took  it  out  of  these  large  receptacles, 
which  they  are  always  careful  to  fill,  such  was  the  stench 
which  it  exhaled,  on  being  moved,  that  it  was  impossible  for 
me  to  abide  it,  even  after  habit  had  in  a  great  degree  dulled 
the  delicacy  of  my  senses. — When  boiled  it  became  less  of- 
fensive, though  it  still  retained  much  of  the  putrid  smell  and 
something  of  the  taste. 

Such  is  the  immense  quantity  of  these  fish,  and  they  are 
taken  with  such  facility,  ihat  I  have  known  upwards  of  twenty- 
five  hundred  brought  into  Maquina'a  house  at  once,  and  at 
one  of  their  great  feasts,  have  seen  one  hundred  or  more 
cooked  in  one  of  their  largest  tubs. 

I  used  frequently  to  go  out  with  Maquina  upon  these  fish- 
ing parties,  and  was  always  sure  to  receive  a  handsome  pre- 
sent of  salmon,  which  I  had  the  privilege  of  calling  mine ;  I 
also  went  with  him  several  times  in  a  canoe,  to  strike  the  sal- 
mon, which  I  have  attempted  to  do  myself,  but  could  never 
succeed,  it  requiring  a  degree  of  adroitness  that  I  did  not  pos- 
sess. I  was  also  permitted  to  go  out  with  a  gun,  and  was 
several  times  very  successful  in  shooting  wild  ducks,  and  teal, 
which  are  very  numerous  here,  though  rather  shy.  Those 
they  cooked  in  their  usual  manner,  by  boiling,  without  any 
farther  dressing  than  skinning  them.  In  many  respects,  how- 
ever, our  situation  was  less  pleasant  here  than  at  Nootka. 
We  were  more  incommoded  for  room,  the  houses  not  being 
BO  spacious,  nor  so  well  arranged,  and  as  it  was  colder^  we 
were  compelled  to  be  much  more  within  doors.  We  however, 
did  not  neglect  on  Sundays,  when  the  weather  would  admit, 
(o  retire  into  the  woods,  and  by  the  side  of  some  stroam, 
after  bathing,  return  our  thanks  to  God  for  preserving  us, 
and  oTer  up  to  him  our  customary  devotions.  I  was  how- 
ever, very  apprehensive,  soon  afler  our  arrival  at  this  place, 
that  I  should  be  deprived  of  the  satisfation  of  keeping  my 
journal,  as  Maquina  one  day  observing  me  writing  in  it,  en- 
quired of  me  what  I  was  doing,  and  when  I  endeavored  to  ex- 
plain it,  by  telling  him  that  I  was  keeping  an  account  of  tht 


. 


HimBATITB   OF  JOHN   B. 


weather,  he  said  it  was  not  so,  and  that  T  was  speaking  bod 
about  him,  and  telling  how  he  had  tai^en  our  ship  and  killed 
the  crew,  so  as  to  inform  my  countrymen,  and  tliat  if  he  ever 
saw  me  writing  in  it  again,  he  would  throw  it  into  the  fire.  I 
was  much  rejoiced  that  he  did  no  more  than  threaten,  and  be« 
came  very  cautious  aflerwards  not  to  let  him  see  me  write. 

Not  long  afler  I  finished  some  daggers  for  him,  which  I 
polished  highly  ;  these  pleased  him  much,  and  he  gave  me  di- 
rections to  make  a  cheetoolth,  in  which  I  succeeded  so  far  to 
his  satisfaction,  that  he  gave  me  a  present  of  cloth  sufificient 
to  make  me  a  complete  suit  of  raiment,  besides  other  things. 
Thompson,  also,  who  had  become  rather  more  of  a  favorite 
than  formerly,  since  he  had  made  a  fine  sail  for  his  canoe, 
and  some  g&rments  for  him  out  of  European  cloth,  about  this 
time  completed  another,  which  was  thought  by  the  savages  a 
most  superb  dress.  This  was  a  Kootsuk  or  mantle  a  fathom 
square,  made  entirely  of  European  /est  patterns  of  the  gayest 
colors  These  were  sewed  together,  in  a  niannei  to  make 
the  best  show,  and  bound  with  a  deep  trimming  of  the  finest 
otter  skin,  with  which  the  arm-holes  were  also  bordered ; 
while  the  bottom  was  farther  embellished  with  five  or  six  rows, 
of  gilt  buttons,  placed  as  near  as  possible  to  each  other.  No- 
thing could  exceed  the  pride  of  Maquina  when  he  first  put  on 
this  royal  robe,  decorated  like  the  coat  of  Joseph,  with  all  the 
cc.ors  of  the  rainbow,  and  glittering  with  the  buttons,  which 
as  he  strutted  about  made  a  tinkling,  while  he  repeatedly  ex 
claimed  in  a  transport  of  exultation,  Klew  shish  Katsuk — wick 
kum  atack  Nootka.  A  fine  garment — Nootka  canH  make 
him 

Maquma,  who  knew  that  the  chiefs  of  the  tribes  who  came 
to  visit  us,  had  endeavored  to  persuade  me  to  escape^  fre- 
quently cautioned  me  not  to  listen  to  them,  and  that  should  I 
make  the  attempt,  and  he  were  to  take  me,  he  should  certainly 
put  me  to  death.  While  here  he  gave  me  a  book  in  which  I 
found  the  names  of  seven  persons  belonging  to  the  ship  Man- 
chester of  Philadelphia,  Captain  Brian,  viz. — Daniel  Smith, 
Lewis  Gillon,  James  Tom,  Clark,  Johnson,  Ben  and  Jack. 
These  men,  as  Maquina  informed  me,  ran  awa)  from  the 
siiip,  and  came  to  him,  but  that  six  of  them  soon  after  went  ofif 
in  the  night,  with  an  intention  to  go  to  the  Wickinninish,  but 
ewre  stopped  by  the  Eshquiates,  and  sent  back  to  him,  and 
that  be  ordered  them  to  be  put  to  death  ;  and  a  most  cruel 
death  it  was,  as  I  was  told  by  one  of  the  natives,  four  men 
holding  one  of  them  on  the  ground,  and  forcing  open  hit 


MAEftATlVB  Of  JOHN   R.   JBWITV. 


mouth,  while  they  choaked  him  by  ramming  stones  down  hi« 
throat.  As  to  Jack  the  boy^  who  made  no  attempt  to  go  ofl*| 
Maquina  afterwards  sold  him  to  the  Wickinninish.  I  was  in- 
formed by  the  prince.ss  Yuqua,  that  he  was  quite  a  small  boy, 
who  cried  a  great  deal,  being  put  to  hard  labor  beyimd  hif . 
strength  by  the  natives,  in  cutting  wood  and  bringing  water, 
and  that  when  he  heard  of  the  murder  of  our  crew,  it  had 
such  an  effect  on  him  that  he  fell  sick  and  died  shortly  after. 
On  learning  the  melancholy  fate  of  this  unfortunate  lad,  it 
Again  awakened  in  my  bosom  those  feelings  that  I  had  ex- 
perienced at  the  shocking  death  of  my  poor  comrades. 

The  king  finding  that  I  was  desirous  of  learning  their  lan- 
guage, was  much  delighted,  and  took  great  pleasure  m  con* 
/ersing  with  me.  On  ojie  of  these  occasions,  he  explained  to 
me  his  reasons  for  cutting  off  our  ship,  saying  that  he  bore  no 
ill  will  to  my  countrymen,  but  that  he  had  been  several  times 
treated  very  ill  by  them.  The  first  injury  of  which  he  had 
cause  to  complain,  was  done  him  by  a  Captain  Tawnington, 
who  comnanded  a  schooner  which  passed  a  winter  at  Friend- 
ly Cove,  v/here  he  was  well  treated  by  the  inhabitants.  This 
man  taking  advantage  of  Maquit.a's  absence,  who  had  gone 


'     .•  The  Sea  Otter  firing  upon  the  Natives. 

to  the  Wickinninish  to  procure  a  wife,  armed  himself  and 
crew,  and  entered  the  house  \vherc  there  were  none  but  wo- 
men, whom  he  threw  into  the  greatest  consternation,  and 
searching  the  chests,  took  away  all  the  skins,  of  which  l\Ia- 
quina  had  no  less  than  forty  of  the  best ;  and  that  about  the 
Mm«  time,  faur  of  their  chiefs  were  barbarously  killed  bj  • 


uo 


ll4mRATITB    OF    JOHN    K.     JIWITT. 


Captain  Martinez,  a  Spaniard.  That  soon  after  Gaptniu 
Hanna,  of  the  Sea-Otter,  in  consequence  of  one  of  the  nativei 
having  stolen  a  chiL;zei  from  the  carpenter,  fired  upon  their 
canoes  which  were  along  side,  and  killed  upwards  of  tweuty 
of  the  natives,  of  whom  several  were  Tyees  or  chiefs,  and  that 
he  himself  being  on  board  the  vessel,  in  order  to  escape  waa 
obliged  to*  leap  from  the  quarterdeck,  and  swim  for  a  long 
way  under  water 

These  injuries  had  excited  in  the  breast  of  Maquina,  an 
ardent  desire  of  revenge,  the  strongest  passion  .  »f  the  savage 
heart,  and  though  many  years  had  elapsed  since  their  com- 
mission, still  they  were  not  forgotten,  nud  tne  want  of  a  fa- 
Tourable  opportunity  alone  prevented  him  from  sooner  aveng- 
ing them.  Unfortunately  for  us,  the  iong  wished  for  oppor- 
tunity at  length  presented  itself  in  our  ship:  which  Maquina 
finding  not  guarded  with  the  usual  vigilance  of  the  North 
West  Traders,  and  feeling  his  desire  of  revenge  rekindled 
by  the  insult  offered  him  by  Capt.  Salter,  formed  a  plan  for 
attacking,  and  on  his  return,  called  a  council  of  his  chiefs, 
and  communicated  it  to  them,  acquainting  them  with  the  man- 
ner in  which  he  had  been  treated.  No  less  desirous  of 
avenging  this  affront  offered  their  king,  than  former  injuries, 
they  readily  agreed  to  his  proposal,  which  was  to  go  on  board 
without  arms  as  usual,  but  under  different  pretexts,  in  greater 
numbers,  and  wait  his  signal  for  the  moment  of  attacking 
their  unsuspecting  victims.  The  execution  of  this  scheme, 
as  the  reader  knows,  was  unhappily  too  successful.  And 
here  I  cannot  but  indulge  a  reflection  that  has  frequently 
occurred  to  me  on  the  manner  in  which  our  people  behave 
towards  the  natives.  For  though  they  are  a  thievish  race,  yet 
I  have  no  doubt  that  many  of  the  melancholy  disasters  have 
principally  arisen  from  the  imprudent  conduct  of  some  of  the 
captains  and  crews  of  the  ships  employed  in  *his  trade,  'a 
exasperating  them  by  insulting,  plundering,  and  even  killing 
them  on  slight  grounds.  This,  as  nothing  is  more  sacred 
with  a  savage  than  the  principle  of  revenge,  and  no  people 
are  so  impatient  under  insult,  induces  them  to  wreak  theii 
▼engeance  upon  the  first  vessel  or  boat's  crew  tliat  offers, 
making  the  innocent  too  frequently  suffer  for  the  vrongs  of 
the  guilty,  as  few  of  them  know  to  discriminate  between  per- 
Aons  of  the  same  general  appearance,  more  especially  when 
speaking  the  same  language.  And  to  this  cause  do  1  believe, 
must  prmcipally  be  ascribed  the  sanguinary  disposition  witk 
which  these  people  are  reproached,  as  Maquina  repeatedly 


JTAlftATITB   or  JOHN    B.    JIWITT 


told  me  that  it  wta  not  his  wish  to  hurt  a  white  mu«,  and  thai 
he  never  should  have  done  it,  though  ever  so  much  in  bia 
power,  had  they  not  injured  him.  And  were  the  commanders 
ofour  ships  to  treat  the  savages  with  rather  more  civility  than 
they  sometimes  do,  I  am  inclined  to  think  they  would  find 
their  account  in  it;  not  that  I  sihould  recommend  to  them  a 
confidence  in  the  good  faith  and  friendly  professions  of  these 
people,  so  as  in  any  degree  to  remit  their  vigilance,  but  on 
the  contrary,  to  be  strictly  on  their  guarr.  arid  suflTer  but  a 
few  of  them  to  come  on  board  the  ship,  anL  .o  admit  not  many 
of  their  canoorj  along  side  at  a  time;  a  precaution  that  would 
have  been  the  means  of  preventing  some  of  the  unfortunate 
events  that  have  occurred,  and  if  attended  to,  may  m  future, 
preserve  many  a  valuable  life.  Such  a  regulation  too,  from 
what  I  know  of  their  disposition,  and  wants,  would  produce 
no  serious  difficulty  in  trading  with  the  savages,  and  they 
would  soon  become  perfectly  reconciled  to  it. 

Amoiig  the  provisions  which  the  Indians  procure  at  Tash- 
ees,  I  must  not  omit  mentioning  a  fruit  that  is  very  important, 
as  forming  a  great  article  of  their  food.  This  is  what  is 
called  by  them  the  Yama,  a  species  of  berry  that  grows  in 
bunches  like  currants,  upon  a  bush  from  two  to  three  feet 
high,  with  a  large,  round  and  smooth  leaf  This  berry  is 
black,  and  about  the  size  of  a  pistol  shot,  but  of  rather  an 
oblong  shape,  and  open  at  the  top  like  the  blue  wortleberry. 
The  taste  is  sweet  but  a  little  acrid,  and  when  first  gathered, 
if  eaten  in  any  great  quantity,  especially  without  oil,  is  apt  to 
produce  cholics.  To  procure  it,  large  companies  of  women 
go  out  in  the  mountains,  accompanied  by  armed  men,  to  pro- 
tect them  against  wild  beasts,  where  they  frequently  remain 
for  several  days,  kindling  a  fire  at  night,  and  sheltering  them- 
selves under  sheds  constructed  of  boughs.  At  these  parties, 
they  collect  great  quantities.  T  have  known  Maquina's 
queen  and  her  women  return  loaded,  bringing  with  them 
upwards  of  twelve  bushels.  In  order  to  preserve  it,  it  is 
pressed  in  the  bunches  between  two  planks,  and  driod  and 
put  away  in  baskets  for  use.     It  is  always  eaten  with  oil. 

Of  berries  of  various  kinds,  sutjh  as  straw-berries,  rasp- 
berries, black-berries,  Sic.  there  are  great  quantities  in  the 
country,  of  which  ths3  natives  are  very  fond,  gathering  them 
in  their  seasons,  and  eating  them  with  oil,  but  the  yama  is  the 
only  one  that  they  pieserve. 

Fish  is,  however,  their  great  article  of  food,  as  almost  all  the 
ethen,  excepting  the  yama,  may  be  considered  aa  acotdeiM 
J9L,  I  U 


-JLi. 


^^ 


ut 


WABftATITB    or  JOflN    A.  JIWITT. 


They  neTertheleM  are  far  (Vom  disrelishing  meat,  for  iiifltane« 
fenison  and  beards  flesh.  With  regard  to  the  latter,  thejp 
have  a  most  singular  cuHtom,  which  is,  that  any  one  who  eata 
of  it  is  obliged  to  abstain  from  eating  Hny  kind  of  fresh  fiih 
whatever,  for  the  term  of  two  months,  as  they  have  a  superat 
tious  belief,  that  should  any  of  their  people  afler  tasting  bear't 
flesh,  eat  of  fresh  salmon,  cod,  &.c.  the  fish,  thou-gh  at  ev^r 
■o  great  a  distance  off,  would  come  to  the  knowledge  of  it, 
and  offended  thereat,  as  not  to  allow  themselves  to  oe  taken 
by  any  of  the  inhabitants.  This  1  had  an  opportunity  of  ob- 
serving while  at  Tashec?,  a  bear  having  been  killed  early  in 
December,  of  which  not  more  than  ten  of  the  natives  would 
eat,  being  prevented  by  the  prohibition  annexed  to  it,  which 
also  was  the  reason  of  my  comrade  and  myself  not  tasting  it, 
on  being  told  by  Maquina  the  consequence. 

As  there  is  something  quite  curious  in  their  management 
of  this  animal,  when  they  have  killed  one,  I  shall  give  u  de- 
scription of  it.  Afler  well  cleansing  the  bear  from  the  dirt 
and  blood,  with  which  it  is  generally  covered  when  killed,  it 


Thompson  shooting  s  Bear. 

la  brought  m  and  seated  opposite  the  king  m  an  upi.giki 
posture,  with  a  chief's  bonnet,  wrought  in  figures  in  its  head, 
and  its  fur  powdered  over  with  the  white  down.  A  tray  of 
provisions  is  then  set  before  it,  and  it  is  invited  by  words  and 
gestures  to  eat.  This  mock  ceremony  over,  the  reason  of 
which  I  could  never  learn,  the  animal  is  taken  and  skinned) 
and  the  flesh  and  entrails  boiled  up  into  a  soup,  no  part,  bttt 
the  pauocli  being  rejected. 


■AAmATlTI   Of    fOSN   K.   JIWITT, 


This  dretsing  the  hear  as  they  call  it,  it  an  occaaioa  of  {^ 
rejoicing  throughout  the  village,  all  the  inhabitants  being  in- 
vited tr>  a  great  feast  at  the  king's  h  use,  though  but  a  few 
of  then,  in  consequence  of  the  penalty,  will  venture  to  eat 
of  the  flesh,  but  generally  content  themselves  with  their  favor- 
ite dish  of  herring  spawn  and  water.  The  feast  on  this 
occasion  was  closed  by  a  dance  from  Sat-sat-sak-sis,  in  the 
manner  I  have  already  described,  in  the  course  of  which  he 
repeatedly  shifted  his  mask  for  another  of  a  different  form. 

A  few  days  alter  a  second  bear  was  taken,  like  the  former 
by  means  of  a  irip.  This  1  had  ,.is  curiosity  to  go  and  see 
at  the  place  where  it  was  caught,  which  was  in  the  following 
manner.  On  the  edge  of  a  small  stream  of  water  in  the 
mountains,  which  the  salmon  ascend,  and  near  the  spot  where 
the  bear  is  accustomed  to  watch  for  them,  which  is  known  by 
ts  tcack,  a  trap  or  box  about  the  height  of  a  man's  head  is 
built  of  posts  and  planks  with  a  flat  top,  on  which  are  laid  a 
number  of  large  stones  or  rocks.  The  top  and  sides  are  then 
carefully  covered  with  turf,  so  as  to  resemble  a  little  mound, 
and  wholly  to  exclude  the  light,  a  narrow  entrance  of  the 
height  of  the  building  only  being  left,  just  sufficient  to  admit 
the  head  and  shoulaers  of  the  beast.  On  the  inside,  to  a 
large  plank  that  covers  the  .ip,  is  suspended  by  a  strong 
cord  a  salmon,  the  plank  being  lefl  loose  so  that  a  forcible 
pull  will  bring  it  down.  On  coming  to  its  usual  haunt,  the 
bear  enters  the  trap,  and  endeavouring  to  pull  away  the  fish, 
brings  down  the  whole  covering  with  its  load  of  stones 
upon  its  head,  and  is  almost  always  crushed  to  death  on  the 
spot,  or  so  wounded  as  to  be  unable  to  escape.  They  are 
always  careful  to  examine  these  traps  every  day,  in  order  if 
a  bear  be  caught,  to  bring  it  away,  and  cook  it  immediately, 
for  it  is  not  a  little  singular,  that  these  people  will  eat  no 
kind  of  meat  that  is  in  the  least  tainted,  or  not  perfectly  fresh, 
while  on  the  contrary,  it  is  hardly  possible  for  a  fish  to  be  in 
too  putrid  a  state  for  them,  anfi  I  have  frequently  known  them 
wh^n  a  whale  has  bee^i  driyeir.  ishore,  bring  pieces  of  it  home 
fyith  them  in  a  state  of  offensiveness  insupportable  to  any 
thing  but  a  crow,  and  devour  it  with  high  relish,  considering 
it  as  preferable  to  that  which  is  fresh.  .       > ; 

On  the  morning  of  the  13th  of  December,  commenced  what 
to  us  appeared  a  most  singular  farce.  Apparently  without  any 
previous  notice,  Manuina  discharged  a  pistol  close  to  hia 
son's  ear,  who  immediately  fell  down  as  if  killed,  upon  which 
lUl  tb('  woroen  of  the  house  set  up  a  most  lamentable   «r/ 


<9^W 


iflARmAtlTii  Of  JOUN  R.  JlWlTt. 


tearing  handfuls  of  hair  from  their  headfi,  and  exclaiming  thai 
the  prmce  was  dead,  at  the  fsamc  time  a  great  Lumber  of 
the  inhabitants,  rushed  into  the  house  armed  with  their  dag 
gers,  muskets,  Sec.  enquiring  the  cause  of  their  outcrjr,  theno 
were  immediately  followed  by  two  others  dressed  in  wolf  skint, 
with  masks  over  their  faces  representing  tne  head  of  that 
animal;  the  latter  came  in  on  their  hands  and  feet  in  the  man- 
ner of  a  beast,  and  taking  up  the  prince  carried  him  off  upon 
their  backs,  retiring  in  the  same  manner  they  entered.  We 
saw  nothing  more  of  the  ceremony,  as  Maquina  came  to  its, 
and  giving  us  a  quantity  of  dried  provisions,  ordered  us  to 
quit  the  house  and  not  return  to  the  village  before  the  expira- 
tion of  seven  fiayri,  for  thai  if  we  appeared  within  that  period, 
he  should  kill  us. 

At  any  other  season  of  the  year  such  an  order  would  by 
us  have  been  considered  as  an  indulgence,  in  enabling  us  to 
pass  our  time  in  whatever  way  we  wished,  and  even  now,  fur- 
nished as  we  were,  with  sufficient  provision  fo.  that  term,  it  was 
not  very  unpleasant  to  us  more  particularly  Thompson,  who  was 
always  desiro^£^  to  keep  as  nmch  as  possible  out  of  the  society 
and  sight  of  the  natives,  whom  he  detested.  Taking  with  us 
our  provisions,  a  bundle  of  clothes^  and  our  axes,  we  obeyed 
the  mrections  of  Maquina  and  withdrew  into  the  woods,  where 
^e  built  our8*>!vos  a  cabin  to  shelter  us,  with  the  branches  of 
trees,  and  keeping  up  a  good  fire,  secured  ourselves  pretty 
well  from  the  cold.  Ht>re  we  passed  the  prescribed  period  of 
oui*  exile,  with  more  content  than  much  of  the  time  while  with 
them,  employing  th  ^  day  in  reading  and  praying  for  our  re- 
lease, or  in  rambling  round  and  exploring  the  country,  the 
■oil  of  which  we  found  to  be  very  good,  and  the  face  of  it, 
beautifully  diversified  with  hills  and  vallies,  refreshed  with  the 
finest  streams  of  wate*",  and  at  night  enjoyed  comfortable 
repose  upon  a  bed  of  sofl  leaves,  with  our  garments  spread 
over  us  to  protect  rs  from  the  cold. 

At  the  end  of  seven  days  we  returned,  and  found  several  of 
the  people  of  A-i-tiz-zart  with  their  king  or  chief  at  Tashees, 
who  had  been  invited  by  Maquina  to  attend  the  close  of  thii 
performance,  which  I  now  learnt  was  a  celebration,  held  by 
them  annually,  in  honor  of  their  god,  whom  they  ca*l  Qua- 
hootz<3,  to  return  him  their  thanks  for  his  past,  and  implore 
hia  fut'jre  favors.  It  terminated  on  the  21st,  the  day  afler  our 
return,  with  a  most  extraordinary  exhibition.  Three  men, 
each  of  whom  had  two  bayonets  run  through  his  sides,  between 
tb?  ribs,  apparently  regardless  of  tho  pain,  trtvertedihe  rQMi| 


1 


\1 

J 


NAftEATIfS  Of  JOHN   E.  JIWITV. 


backwards  and  forwards,  singing  war  songi,  and  exulting  in 
this  display  of  firmaess. 

On  the  arrival  of  the  25th,  we  could  not  but  call  to  niind, 
that  this  being  ChrisCmas,  was  ia  our  country  a  day  of  the 
greatest  festivity,  when  our  fellow  countrymen  assembled  in 
their  churches,  were  celebrating  the  goodness  of  God,  and 
the  praises  of  the  Saviour.  What  a  reverse  did  our  situation 
offer — captives  in  a  savage  land,  and  slaves  to  &  set  of  igno- 
rant beings,  unacquaiuted  with  religion  or  humanity,  hardly 
were  we  permitted  to  offer  up  our  devotions  by  oursslves  in  the 
woods,  while  we  felt  even  grateful  for  this  privilege.  Thither 
with  the  king's  permission,  we  withdrew,  and  after  reading 
the  service  appointed  for  the  day,  sung  the  hymn  of  the  Nativ- 
ity, fervently  prtying  that  heaven  in  its  goodness  would  per- 
mit us  to  celebrate  the  next  festival  of  this  kind  in  some 
Ciifistian  land.  On  our  rotur^,  in  order  to  conform  as  much 
as  was  in  our  power  to  the  custom  of  our  country,  we  were 
desirous  of  having  a  better  supper  than  usual.  With  this 
view  we  bought  from  one  of  the  natives,  some  dried  clams  and 
oil,  and  a  root  called  Kletsup,  which  we  cooked  by  steaming, 
and  found  it  very  palatable.  This  root  consists  of  many 
fibres,  of  six  inches  long,  and  of  the  size  of  a  crow  quill.  It 
is  sweet  of  an  agreeable  taste,  not  unlike  the  Quanoose,  and  it 
is  eaten  with  oil.  The  plant  that  produces  it  I  have  never 
seen. 

On  the  31st,  all  the  tribe  quitted  Tashees  for  Cooptee, 
whither  they  go  to  pass  the  remainder  of  the  winter,  and  com- 
plete their  tishing,  takmg  off  every  thing  with  them  in  the  same 
manr4er  as  at  Nootka.  We  arrived  in  a  few  hours  at  Coop- 
tee,  which  is  about  fifteen  miles,  and  immediately  set  about 
covering  tl.e  houses,  which  was  soon  completeu. 

This  place,  which  is  their  great  herring  and  sprat  fishery, 
stands  just  within  the  mouth  of  the  river,  on  the  same  side 
with  Tashees,  in  a  very  narrow  valley  at  the  foot  of  a  high 
mountain.  Though  nearly  as  secure  as  Tashees  from  the  win- 
ter storms,  it  is  by  no  means  so  pleasantly  situated,  though  to 
us  it  was  a  much  more  agreeable  residence,  as  it  brought  ui 
nearer  Nootka,  where  we  were  impatient  to  return,  in  hopee 
of  finding  some  vessel  there,  or  heating  of  the  arrival  of  one 
near. 

The  first  snow  that  fell  this  season,  was  the  day  after  our 
arrival,  on  New- Years;  a  day  that  like  Christmas,  brought 
with  it,  painful  recollections,  but  at  the  same  time  led  ua  to 
indulge  the  hope  of  a  more  fortunate  year  than  the  !«•! 


>»• 


uu 


HAREATIVB   Of  JOBN   R.   JIWITT. 


Early  on  the  morning  of  the  7th  of  January,  Maquina  took 
me  with  him  in  his  canoe  on  a  visit  to  Upquesta,  chief  of  the 
\-i-tiz-zart8,  who  had  invited  him  to  attend  an  «>xhibition  at 
ais  village,  similar  to  the  one  with  whieh  he  had  been  entar- 
»ained  at  Tashees.  This  place  is  between  twenty  and  thirty 
miles  distant  up  the  sound,  and  stands  on  the  banks  of  a  smiul 
river  about  the  size  of  that  of  Cooptee,  just  within  its  entrance 
in  a  valley  of  much  greater  extent  than  that  of  Tashees;  it  con- 
sists '^>^  fourteen  or  fifleen  houses,  built  and  disposed  in  the 
manner  o!  those  at  Nootka.  The  tribe,  which  is  considered  as 
tributary  to  Maquina,  amounts  to  about  three  hundred  warriors, 
and  the  inhabitants,  both  men  and  women,  are  among  the  best 
looking  of  any  people  on  the  coast. 

On  our  arrival  we  were  received  at  the  shore  by  the  inhah* 
itants,  a  few  of  whom  were  armed  with  muskets,  which  they 
fired  with  loud  shouts  and  exclamations  of  Wocash,  wocash. 

We  were  welcomed  by  the  chiefs  messenger,  or  master  of 
ceremonies,  dressed  in  his  best  garments,  with  his  hair  pow- 
dered with  white  down,  and  holding  in  his  hand  the  chee- 
toolth,  the  badge  of  his  office.  This  man  preceded  us-  to 
the  chiefs  house,  where  he  introduced  and  pointed  out  to 
us  our  respective  seats.  On  entering,  the  visitors  took  off 
their  hats,  which  they  always  wear  on  similar  occasions,  and 
Maquina  his  outer  robes,  of  which  he  has  several  on  whenev- 
'r  he  pays  a  visit,  and  seated  himself  near  the  chiel'.  As  I 
ffOB  dressed  in  European  clothes  I  became  quite  an  object  of 
curiosity  to  these  people,  very  few  of  whom  had  ever  seen  a 
white  man.  They  crowded  around  me  in  numbers,  taking  hold 
of  my  clothes,  examining  my  face,  hands  and  feet,  and  even 
opening  my  mouth  to  see  if  I  had  a  toague,  for  notwithstanding 
I  had  by  this  time  become  well  acquainted  with  their  language, 
I  preserved  the  strictest  silence,  Maquina  on  our  first  landing 
having  enjoined  me  not  to  speak,  until  he  should  direct.  Hav- 
ing undergone  this  examination  for  some  time,  Maquina  at 
length  made  a  sign  to  me  to  speak  to  them.  On  hearing  me 
address  them  in  their  own  language,  they  were  greatly  aston- 
ished and  delighted,  and  told  Maquina  that  they  now  perceived 
that  I  was  a  man  like  themselves,  except  that  I  was  white  and 
looked  like  a  seal,  alluding  to  my  blue  jacket  and  trowsers, 
^hich  they  wanted  to  persuade  me  to  take  off,  as  they  did  not 
like  their  appearance.  Maquina  in  the  mean  time  gave  an  ac- 
count to  the  chief,  of  the  scheme  he  had  formed  for  surpri- 
sing our  ship,  and  the  manner  m  which  he  and  his  people  had 
ctrried  it  into  execution,  with  such  particular  and  horrid  de< 


VAIAATlTt    OF    JOHN   R.    JBWITT 


iai!tt  of  that  transaction  as  chilled  the  blood  in  my  Tient 
Trays  of  boiled  herring  spawn  and  train  oil  were  soon  after 
Drought  in  and  placed  before  us,  neither  the  chief  or  any  of 
his  people  eating  at  the  same  time,  it  being  contrary  to  the  ideaf 
of  hospitality  entertained  by  these  nations,  to  eat  any  part  of 
the  food  that  is  provided  for  strangers,  always  waiting  until  their 
visitors  have  finished,  before  they  have  their  own  brought  in. 

The  following  day  closed  their  festival  with  an  exhibition 
of  a  similar  kind,  to  that  which  had  been  given  at  Tashees,  but 
still  more  cruel,  the  different  tribes  appeared  on  these  occa- 
sions to  endeavor  to  surpass  each  other,  in  their  proofs  of  for- 
titude and  endurance  of  pain.  In  the  morning  twenty  men  en- 
tered the  chiePs  house,  with  each  an  arrow  run  through  the 
flesh  of  his  sides,  and  either  arm,  with  a  cord  fastened  to  the 
end,  which  as  the  performers,  advanced,  singing  and  boast- 
ting,  was  forcibly  drawn  back  by  a  person  having  hold  of  it 
After  this  performance  was  closed  we  returned  to  Cooptee, 
which  we  reached  at  midnight,  our  men  keeping  time  v/ith 
their  songs  to  the  stroke  of  their  paddles. 

The  natives  now  began  to  take  the  herring  and  sprat  in  im- 
mense quantities,  with  some  salmon,  and  there  was  nothing  but 
feasting  from  morning  till  night.  The  following  is  the  meth- 
od they  employ  to  take  the  herring.  A  stick  about  seven 
feet  long,  two  inches  broad,  and  half  an  inch  thick,  is  formed 
from  some  hard  wood,  one  side  of  which  is  set  with  sharp 
teeth,  made  from  whale  bone,  at  ab<.ut  half  an  inch  apart. 
Provided  with  this  instrument,  the  fisherman  soats  himself  in 
the  prow  of  8  canoe,  which  is  •  ddled  by  another,  and  when- 
ever he  cories  to  a  shoal  of  hei  which  cover  the  water  in 
great  quantities,  he  strikes  it  witi>  thhandiS  upon  them  und 
at  the  same  moment  turning  it  up,  bring.-*  it  over  the  side  of 
the  canoe,  into  which  he  lets  those  that  are  taken  dr(^>.  It  is 
astonishing  to  see  how  many  are  caught  by  those  who  are 
dexterous  at  this  kind  of  fishing,  as  they  seldom  fnil  when  the 
shoals  are  numerous,  of  taking  as  many  as  ten  o-  '.wclve  at  a 
stroke,  and  in  a  very  short  time  will  fill  a  canoe  with  them 
Sprats  are  likewise  caught  in  a  similar  manner. 

About  the  beginning  of  February,  Maquina  gave  great 
(east,  at  which  were  present  not  only  all  the  ihhu  aits,  but 
one  hundred  persons  from  A-i-tiz-zart,  and  a  number  from 
Winckinninish,  who  had  been  invited  to  attend  it  It  is  cus- 
tomary with  them  to  g.'ve  an  annual  entertainment  of  this  kind, 
and  it  is  astonishing  .o  see  what  a  quantity  of  provisions  ii 
•zpended,  or  rather  wasted  on  such  an  occasioa,  when  they 


I 


f4S 


NAmEATITX  OF  JOHN    E.   JIWITT. 


E    : 


always  eat  to  the  greatest  excess.  It  was  at  thii  feaat  that  1 
saw  upwards  of  a  hundred  salmon  cooked  in  one  tub.  The 
whole  residence  at  Cooptee  presents  an  almost  unintcrruped 
successioQ  of  feasting  and  gormondizing,  and  it  would  seem  as 
if  the  principal  object  of  these  people  was  to  consume  then 
whole  stock  of  provisions  before  leaving  it,  trusting  entirely 
to  their  success  in  Ashing  and  whaling,  for  a  supply  at  Noot« 
ka 

On  tha  25tn  of  February,  we  quitted  Cooptee,  and  re- 
turned to  Nootka.  With  much  joy  did  Thompson  and  myself 
again  find  ourselves  in  a  place,  where  notwithstanding  the  me- 
lancholy recollections  which  it  excited,  we  hoped  before  long 
to  see  seme  vessel  arrive  to  our  relief,  and  for  this  we  became 
more  solicitous,  as  of«  late  we  bad  become  much  more  appre- 
hensive of  our  safety  in  consequence  of  information  brought 
Maqiiina  a  few  days  before  we  left  Cooptee,  by  some  of  the 
Cayuqucts,  that  there  were  twenty  ships  at  the  northward 
preparing  to  come  against  him,  with  an  intention  of  destroying 
him  a.nd  hL^  tribe,  for  cutting  off  the  Boston.  This  story 
which  was  wholly  without  foundation,  and  discovered  after- 
wards to  have  been  invented  by  these  people,  for  the  purpose 
of  disquieting  him,  threw  him  into  great  alarm,  and  notwith- 
standing all  I  coi'Iti  say  to  convince  him  that  it  was  an  un- 
founded report,  so  great  was  his  jealousy  of  us,  especially  af- 
ter it  had  been  confirmed  to  him  by  some  others  of  the  same 
nation,  that  he  treateu  us  with  much  harshness,  and  kept  a 
very  suspicious  eye  upon  us.  Nothing  indeed  could  oe  more 
unpleasant  than  our  present  situation,  when  I  reflected  that 
our  lives  were  altogether  dependent  on  the  will  of  a  savage, 
on  whose  caprice  and  suspicions  no  rational  calculation  could 
be  made. 

Not  long  after  our  return,  a  son  of  Maquina's  sister,  a  boy 
of  eleven  years  old,  who  had  been  for  some  time  declining, 
died.  Immediately  on  his  death,  which  was  about  midright^ 
all  the  men  and  women  in  the  hone,  set  up  loud  cries  an-i 
ahrieks,  which  awakening  Thompson  and  myself,  so  disturbed 
us  that  we  left  the  house.  This  lamentation  was  kept  up  du- 
ring the  remainder  of  the  night.  In  the  morning,  a  great  fire 
was  kindled,  in  which  Maq*uina  burned  in  honour  of  the  de- 
ceased, ten  fathoms  of  cloth,  and  buried  with  him  ten  fathoms 
more,  eight  of  I-whaw,  four  prime  sea  otter  skins,  and  two 
small  trunk**,  containing  our  unfortunate  captain's  clothes  and 
watch.  This  boy  was  considered  as  a  Tyce  or  chief,  being 
the  only  son  of  Tootoosch,  one  of  their  principal  chiefs,  wha 


jrimBATiTB  or  jorn  m.  jbititt. 


htd  mmrriea  Maqiiina's  sister,  whence  arose  this  ceremoBy  mi 
his  interment ;  it  being  an  established  custom  with  these  peo- 
ple, that  whenever  a  chief  dies,  his  most  valuable  property  is 
burned  or  buried  with  him;  it  is,  however,  wholly  confined  to 
the  chiefs,  and  appears  to  be  a  mark  of  honour  appropriate  to 
them.     In  this  instance  Maquina  furnished  the  articles,  in  or- 
der that  his  nephew  might  have  the  proper  honours  rendered 
him.     Tootoosch  his  father,  was  esteemed  the  first  warrior  of 
the  tribe,  and  was  one  who  had  been  particularly  active  in  the 
destruction  of  our  ship,  having  killed  two  of  our  poor  com- 
rt>.des,  who  were  ashore,  whose  names  were  Hall  and  Wood. 
A)>out  the  time  of  our  removal  to  Tashees,  while  in  the  en- 
joyment of  the  highest  hetclth,  he  was  suddenly  seized  with  a 
fit  ^^  delirium,  in  which  he  fancied  that  he  saw  the  ghosts  ot 
thjse  two  men  constantly  standing  by  him,  and  threatening 
him,  so  that  he  would  take  no  food,  except  what  was  forced 
into  his  mouth.     A  short  time  before  this,  he  had  lost  a  daugh- 
ter of  about  fifteen  years  of  age,  which  afflicted  him  greatly, 
and  whether  his  insanitv    a  disorder  very  i^ncommon  amongst 
these  savages,  no  instai  <  e  of  the  kind  having  occurred  within 
the  memory  of  the  oldest  man  amongst  them,  proceeded  from 
this  cause,  or  that  it  was  the  special  interposition  of  an  all 
merciful  God  in  our  favour,  who  by  this  means  thought  proper 
to  induce  these  barbarians  still  farther  to  respect  our  lives,  or 
that  for  hidden  purposes,  the  Supreme  Disposer  of  events, 
sometimes  permits  the  spirits  of  the  dead  to  revisit  the  world, 
and  haunt  the  murderer,  I  know  not,  but  his  mind  from  this 
period  until  his  death,  which  took  place  but  a  few  w  eeks  after 
that  of  his  son,  was  incessantly  occupied  with  the  images  of 
the  men  whom  he  had  killed.     This  circumstance  made  much 
impression  upon  the  tribe,  particularly  the  chiefs,  whose  uni- 
form opposition  to  putting  us  to  death,  at  the  various  councils 
that  were  held  on  our  account,  I  could  not  but  in  part  attri- 
bute to  this  cause,  and  Maquina  used  frequently  in  speaking 
of  Toofoosch's  sickness,  to  express  much  satisfaction  that  his 
hands  had  not  been  stained  with  the  blood  of  any  of  our  men. 
When  Maquina  was  first  informed  by  his  sister,  of  the  strange 
Gtvuduct  of  her  husband,  he  immediately  went  to  his  house, 
idfting    us   with  him;   suspecting  that   his  disease  had  been 
caused  by  us,  and  that  the  ghosts  of  our  countrymen  had  been 
called  thither  by  us,  to  turment  him.     We  found  him  raving 
about  Hall  and  Wood,  saying  that  they  were  peshak,  that  is 
bid.     Maquina  then  placed  some  provisions  before  him  to  set 
if  he  would  eat.     On  perceiving  it,  he  put  forth  bis  hand  to 
roi   I  II* 


■' »'■ 


'  I"i«"< 


sae 


OB 


MTil 


<0O 


WABftATIVB  OF  JOHM  B.  IBWITT. 


take  some,  but  instantly  withdrew  it  with  signs  of  horror,  m 
ing  that  Hall  and  Wood  were  there,  and  would  not  let  hin 
eat.  Maquina  then  pointing  to  us,  asked  if  it  was  not  John 
and  Thompson  who  troubled  him.  Wik,  he  replied,  that  ia 
no,  John  klushish — Thompson  klushish— -John  and  Thompsoi 
are  both  good;  then  turning  to  me,  and  patting  me  on  the 
shoulders,  he  made  signs  to  me  to  eat.  I  tried  to  persuade 
him  that  Hall  and  Wood  were  not  there,  and  that  none  wert 
near  him  but  ourselves:  he  said,  I  know  very  well  you  do  not 
Bee  then.,  but  I  do.  At  first  Maquina  endeavored  to  convince 
him  that  he  saw  nothing,  and  to  laugh  him  out  of  his  belief, 
but  finding  that  all  was  to  no  purpose,  he  at  length  became 
serious,  and  asked  me  if  I  had  ever  seen  any  one  affected  in 
this  manner,  and  what  was  the  matter  with  him.  I  gave  hini 
to  understand,  pointing  to  his  head,  that  his  brain  was  injured, 
and  that  he  did  not  see  things  as  formerly.  Being  convinced 
by  Tootoosch's  conduct,  that  we  had  no  agency  in  his  indis- 
position, on  our  return  home,  Maquina  asked  me  what  was 
done  in  my  country  in  similar  cases  I  told  him  that  such 
persons  were  closely  confined,  and  sometimes  tied  up  and 
whipped,  in  order  to  make  them  better.  After  pondering  for 
some  time,  he  said  that  he  <'hould  be  glad  to  do  any  thing  to 
relieve  him,  and  that  he  she  ild  be  whipped,  and  immediately 
gave  orders  to  some  of  his  men,  to  go  to  Tootoosch's  house, 
bind  him,  and  bring  him  to  hi^.  in  order  to  undergo  the  ope* 
ration.  Thompson  was  the  person  selected  to  administer  thie 
remedy,  which  he  undertook  very  readily,  and  for  that  purpose 
provided  himself  with  a  good  number  of  spruce  branches,  with 
which  he  whipped  him  most  severely,  laying  it  on  with  the  best 
will  imaginable,  while  Tootooach  displayed  the  greatest  rage, 
kicking,  spitting,  and  attempting  to  bite  all  who  came  near 
him.  This  was  too  much  for  Maquina,  who  at  length,  un- 
able to  endure  it  longer,  ordered  Thompson  to  desist,  and 
TootooBch  to  be  carried  back,  saying  that  if  there  was  no  other 
way  of  curing  him  but  by  whipping,  he  must  remain  mad. 

The  application  of  the  whip,  produced  no  beneficial  effect 
on  Tootoosch,  for  he  afterwards  became  still  more  deranged; 
in  his  fits  of  fury  sometimes  seizing  a  club,  and  beating  his 
slaves  in  a  most  dreadful  manner,  and  striking  and  spitting  at 
all  who  came  near  him,  till  at  length  bis  wife  no  longer  daring 
to  remain  in  the  house  with  him,  came  with  her  son  to  Ma« 
quint's. 

The  whaling  season  now  commenced,  and  Maquina  ma 
out  aimost  every  day  in  his  canoe  m  pursuit  of  theiP|  but  Iqt 


^ 


r< 


VAmEATlTB   or  JOHN   ft.    JBWITT. 


tSl 


V 


ft  eoniiderable  time,  with  no  success,  one  day  breaking  the 
staff  of  his  harpoon,  another,  after  having  been  a  long  time 
fast  to  a  whale,  the  weapon  drawing,  owing  to  the  breaking  of 
the  shell  which  formed  its  point,  with  several  such  like  acci- 
dents, arising  from  the  imperfection  of  the  instrument.  At 
these  times  he  always  returned  very  morose  and  out  of  temper, 
upbraiding  his  men  with  having  violated  their  obligation  to 
continence  preparatory  to  whaling.  In  this  stote  of  ill  humor 
he  would  give  us  very  little  to  eat,  which  added  lo  tUe  women 
not  cooking  when  the  men  are  away,  reduced  us  to  very  low 
fare. 

In  consequence  of  the  repeated  occurrence  of  similar  acci* 
dents,  I  proposed  to  Maquina  to  make  him  a  harpoon  or  fore- 
gang'dr  of  steel,  which  would  be  less  liable  to  fail  him.  The 
idea  pleased  him^  and  in  a  short  time  I  completed  one  for  him, 
with  which  he  was  much  delighted,  and  the  very  next  day, 
went  out  to  make  trial  of  it.  He  succeeded  with  it  in  taking 
the  whale.  Great  was  the  joy  throughout  the  village  as  soon 
as  it  was  known  that  the  king  had  secured  the  whale,  by  no- 
tice from  a  person  station  jd  at  the  head-land  in  the  offing. 
All  the  canocb  were  immediately  launched,  and,  furnished 
with  harpoons  and  seal  skin  floats,  uKsleaed  to  assist  in  buoy- 
ing it  up  and  in  towing  it  in.  The  bringing  in  of  this  fish 
exhibited  a  scene  of  universal  festivity.  As  soon  as  the  ca** 
noes  appeared  at  the  mouth  of  the  cove,  those  on  board  of 
them  singing  a  song  of  triumph  to  a  slow  air,  to  which  they 
kept  time  with  their  paddles,  all  who  were  on  shore,  men, 
women  and  children,  mounted  the  roofs  of  their  houses,  to 
congratulate  the  king  on  his  success,  drumming  most  furious- 
ly on  the  planks,  and  exclaiming  Wocash — wocash  Tyee. 

The  whale  on  being  drawn  on  shore,  was  immediately  cut 
up,  and  a  great  feast  of  the  blubber  given  at  Maquina^s  house, 
to  which  all  the  village  were  invited,  who  indemnified  them- 
•elves  for  their  lent,  by  eating  as  usual  to  excess.  I  was 
highly  praised  for  the  goodness  of  my  harpoon,  and  a  quanti- 
ty of  blubber  given  me,  which  I  was  permitted  to  cook  as  I 
pleased,  this  I  boiled  in  salt  water  with  some  young  nettles 
and  other  greens  for  Thompson  and  myself,  and  in  this  way 
we  found  it  tolerable  food. 

Their  method  of  procuring  the  oil,  is  to  skim  it  from  the 
water  in  which  the  bluober  is  boiled,  and  when  cool,  put  it  up 
into  whale  bladders  for  use,  and  of  these  I  have  seen  them  so 
large  as  when  filled  would  require  no  less  than  fire  or  »ui 
Men  to  carry.     Several  of  the  chiefs,  among  whom  were  M»- 


mmm 


XAAKATITI  Of  JOHN  E.   ilWITt. 


quina't  brother,  who  afler  the  king  has  caught  the  firat  whal«, 
•r«  privileged  to  take  them  also,  were  very  desirous,  on  dii^ 
covering  the  superiority  of  my  harpoon,  that  I  should  make 
tome  for  them,  but  this  Maquina  would  not  permit,  reserving 
for  himself  this  improved  weapon.  He  however  gave  me  di- 
•ections  to  make  a  number  more  for  himself  which  I  executed^ 
and  also  made  him  several  lances,  with  which  he  was  greatly 
pleased. 

As  these  peop.e  have  some  very  singular  observances  pre- 
paratory to  whaling,  an  account  of  them  will,  I  presume,  not 
prove  uninteresting,  especially  as  it  may  serve  to  give  a  bet- 
ter idea  of  their  manners.  A  short  time  before  leaving  Tash- 
ces,  the  king  makes  a  point  of  passing  a  day  alone  on  the 
mountain,  whither  he  goes  very  privately  early  in  the  morn^ 
mg,  and  does  not  return  till  late  in  the  evening.  This  is 
done,  as  I  aflerwards  learned,  for  the  purpose  of  singing  and 
praying  to  his  God  for  success  in  whaling  the  ensuing  season. 
At  Gooptee  the  same  ceremoney  is  performed,  and  at  Nootka 
after  the  return  thither,  with  still  greater  solemnity,  as  for  this 
next  two  days  he  appears  very  thoughtful  and  gloomy,  scarce- 
ly speaking  to  any  one,  and  observes  a  most  rigid  fast.  On 
these  occasions,  he  always  has  a  broad  red  fillet  made  of  bark, 
bound  round  his  head,  in  token  of  humiliation,  with  a  large 
branch  of  green  spruce  on  the  top,  and  his  great  rattle  in  his 
hand.  In  addition  to  this,  for  a  week  before  commencing 
their  whaling,  both  himself  and  the  crew  of  his  canoe  ob- 
serve a  fast,  eating  but  very  little,  and  go'-"g  into  the  water 
several  times  in  the  course  of  each  day  to  bathe,  singing  and 
rubbing  their  bodies,  limbs  and  faces  with  shells  and  bushes, 
so  that  on  their  return  I  have  seen  them  look  as  though  they 
had  been  severely  torn  with  briers.  They  are  likewise  obliged 
to  abstain  of  from  any  commerce  with  their  women  for  the 
like  period^  the  latter  restriction  being  considered  as  indis- 
pensible  to  their  success 

Early  in  June,  Tootoosch  the  crazy  chief,  died.  On  oemg 
■cquamted  with  his  death  the  whole  village,  men,  women  and 
children  set  up  a  loud  cry,  with  every  testimony  of  the 
greatest  grief,  which  they  continued  for  more  than  three  hours. 
As  soon  as  he  was  dead,  th^^  body,  acccrding  to  their  custom^ 
was  laid  out  on  a  plank,  having  the  head  bound  round  with 
a  Ted  bark  fillet,  which  is  with  them  an  emblem  of  mourning 
tod  sorrow.  After  laying  ^ome  time  in  this  manner,  he  was 
wrapped  in  an  otter-skin  robe,  aikl  three  fathoms  of  I-whaw 
^ing  put  about  his  neck,  he  was  placed  in  a  large  coffin  oi 


VISEATITB   or  JOHN   h.   JBWITT. 


u$ 


box  of  about  three  feet  deep,  which  wai  o:  nsuiented  on  ih« 
out«ide  with  two  rows  of  the  small  white  sheWs.  Iq  thia,  thv 
most  valuable  articles  of  his  property  were  placed  with  him, 
among  which  were  no  less  than  twenty-four  prime  ^^ea-otter 
ikins.  At  night,  which  is  their  time  t'oi  iiitorrinj;  tho  dead, 
he  coffin  was  home  by  eight  men,  with  two  poles,  thrust 
hrough  ropes  passed  around  it,  to  the  place  v>f  burial,  accom- 
panied by  his  wife  and  family,  with  their  hair  cut  short,  in  token 
of  grief,  all  the  inhabitants  joining  the  procession.  The  place 
of  burial  was  a  large  cavern  on  tho  side  of  a  hill  at  a  littln 
distance  from  the  village,  in  which,  afler  depositing  the  coffin 
carefully,  all  the  attendants  repaired  to  Maquina's  house, 
where  a  number  of  articles  belonging  to  the  deceased,  consist- 
ing of  blankets,  pieces  of  cloth,  &.c.  were  burned  by  a  per- 
son appointed  by  Maquina  for  that  purpose,  dressed  and  paint- 
ed in  the  highest  style,  with  his  head  covered  with  white  down, 
who,  ar  he  put  in  the  several  pieces,  one  by  one,  poured  upon 
them  a  quantity  of  oil  to  increase  the  flame,  in  the  intervals 
between,  making  a  speech  and  playing  off  a  variety  of  buffoon 
tricks,  and  the  whole  closed  with  a  feast,  and  a  dance  from 
Sat-sat-sak-sis,  the  king  s  son 

The  man  who  perfornted  the  ceremony  of  burning  on  this 
occasion,  was  a  very  singular  character,  named  Kinnecnr 
met£.  He  was  held  in  high  estimation  by  the  king,  though 
only  of  the  common  class,  probably  from  his  talent  for  mimic- 
ry and  buffoonry,  and  might  be  considered  as  a  kind  of  king's 
jester,  or  rather  as  combining  in  his  person  the  character  of 
a  buffoon  with  that  of  master  of  ceremoniesj,  and  public  orator 
to  his  majesty,  as  he  was  the  one  who  at  feasts  always  regula- 
ted the  places  of  the  guests,  delivered  speeches  on  receiving 
or  returning  visits,  besides  amusing  the  company  at  all  their 
entertainments,  with  a  variety  of  monkey  pranks  and  antic 
gestures,  which  appeared  to  these  savages  the  height  of  wit 
and  humour,  but  would  be  considered  as  extremely  low  by  the 
least  polished  people.  Almost  all  the  kings  or  head  cniefs  of 
the  principal  .Ibes,  were  accompanied  by  a  similar  character, 
who  appeared  to  he  attached  to  their  dignity,  and  are  called 
in  their  language,  Climmer-habbee. 

This  man,  Kinneclimmets,  was  particularly  odious  to  Thomp- 
son, who  would  never  join  in  the  laugh  at  his  tricks,  but  when 
he  began,  would  almost  always  quit  the  house  with  a  very 
8urly  look,  and  an  exclamation  of,  cursed   fool  !  which  Ma- 

?uina,  who  thought  nothing  could  equal  the  cleverness  of  hit 
/limmer-habbee  ^qed  to  remark  with  much  dissatisfsctioii, 


J 


:^- 


tM 


ffABRATIVB  or  JOUlf  B.    IBWtTT. 


aikiiiff  me  why  Thompeon  never  laughed,  obsenriiif  tkmt 
must  nave  had  a  very  good  tempered  woman  indeed  for  mf 
mother,  as  my  father  was  so  very  ill-natured  a  man.     Among 
those  performances  that  gained  him  the  greatest  applause,  was 
his  talent  of  eating  to  excess,  for  I  have  known  him  devour  at 
one  meal,  no   less  than   seventy-five    large    herring,  and   m* 
another  time  when  a  great  feast  was  given  by  Maquina,  h 
undertook,  afler  drinking  three  pints  of  oil  by  way  of  whet,  to 
eat  four  dried  salmon,  and  five  quarts  of  spawn,  mixed    jp 
with  a  gallon  of  train  oil,  and  actually  succeeded  in  swallow- 
ing the  greater  part  of  this  mess,  until  his  stomach  became  so 
overloaded,  as  to  discharge  its  contents  in  the  dish.     One  of 
his  exhibitions,  however,  had  nearly  cost  him  his  life,  this  was 
on  occasion   of  Kla-quak-ee-na,  one   of  the  chiefs,  having 
bought  him  a  new  wife,  in  celebration  of  which  he  ran  three 
times  through  a  large  fire,  and  burned  himself  in  such  a  man- 
ner, that  he  was  not  able  to  stir  for  more  than  four  weeks 
These  feats  of  savage  skill  were  much  praised  by  Maquina, 
who  never  failed  to  make  him  a  present  of  cloth,  muskets., 
&c.  on  such  occasions. 

The  death  of  Tootoosch  increased  still  more  the  disquie- 
tude which  his  delirium  had  excited  among  the  savages,  and  all 
those  chiefs  who  had  killed  our  men  became  much  alarmed, 
lest  they  should  be  seized  with  the  same  disorder  and  die  like 
him;  more  particularly  as  I  had  told  Maquina,  that  I  believed 
his  ipjn.nity  was  a  punishment  inflicted  on  him  by  Quahootze, 
for  his  cruelty  in  murdering  two  innocent  men,  who  had  never 
injured  him. 

Our  situation  had  now  become  unpleasant  in  the  extreme. 
The  summer  was  so  far  advanced,  that  we  nearly  despaired 
of  a  ship  arriving  to  our  relief,  and  with  that  expectation,  al 
most  relinquished  the  hope  of  ever  having  it  in  our  power  tc 
quit  this  savage  land.  We  were  treated  too  with  less  indul 
ffence  than  before,  both  Thompson  and  myself  being  obliged^ 
m  addition  to  our  other  employments,  to  perform  the  laborious 
task  of  cutting  and  collecting  fuel,  which  we  had  to  bring  on 
•ur  shoulders  from  nearly  three  miles  distant,  as  it  consisted 
wholly  of  dry  trees,  all  of  which  near  the  village,  had  been 
consumed.  To  add  to  this,  we  suffered  much  abuse  from  the 
conrmon  people,  who,  when  Maquma  or  some  of  the  chiefs 
were  not  present  would  insult  us,  calling  us  wretched  slaves, 
■ikine  us  where  was  our  Tyee  or  captain,  making  gestures 
■ignifying  that  his  head  had  been  cut  off,  and  tha  they  would 
^  the  like  to  us;  though  they  generally  took  good  cure  «: 


I 


ITABAAIITI   or  JOHIf   R.   JIWITT. 


f»» 


inch  times  to  keep  well  out  of  Thompson's  etch,  as  they  had! 
more  than  once  experienced  to  their  cost  the  strength  of  hif 
fist.  This  conduct  wan  not  only  provoking  and  grating  to  our 
feelings  in  the  highest  degree,  but  it  convinced  us  of  the  ill 
disposition  of  these  savages  towards  us,  and  rendered  \» 
fearful  lest  they  might  at  some  time  or  other  persuade  or  forct 
Maquina  and  the  chiefs,  to  put  us  to  death. 

We  were  also  often  brought  to  great  distress  for  the  want 
of  provision,  so  far  as  to  be  reduced  to  collect  a  scanty  supply 
of  muscles  and  limpets  from  the  rocks,  and  sometimes  even 
compelled  to  part  with  some  of  our  most  necessary  articles  of 
clothing,  in  order  to  purchase  food  for  our  subsistence.  This 
was,  however,  principally  owing  to  the  inhabitants  themselves 
experiencing  a  great  scarcity  of  provisions  this  season  ;  there 
having  been,  in  the  first  place,  but  very  few  salmon  caught 
at  Friendly  Cove,  a  most  unusual  circumstance,  as  they 
generally  abound  there  in  the  spring,  which  was  by  the  na- 
tives attributed  to  their  having  been  driven  ^iway  by  the  blood 
of  our  men  who  had  been  thrown  into  the  sea,  which  with  true 
savage  inconsistency,  excited  their  murmurs  against  Maquina, 
who  had  proposed  cutting  off  our  ship.  Relying  on  this  sup- 
ply, they  had  in  the  most  inconsiderate  manner  squandered 
away  their  winter  stock  of  provisions,  so  that  in  a  few  days 
after  their  return,  it  was  entirely  expended.  Nor  were  the 
king  and  chiefs  much  more  fortunate  in  their  whaling,  even 
after  I  had  furnished  Maquina  with  the  improved  weapon  for 
that  purpose  ;  but  four  whales  having  been  taken  durmg  the 
season,  which  closes  the  last  of  May,  including  one  that  had 
been  struck  by  Maquina  and  escaped,  and  was  afterwards 
driven  on  shore  about  six  miles  from  Nootka,  in  almost  a 
state  of  putridity.  These  afforded  but  a  short  supply,  to  a 
population,  including  all  ages  and  sexes,  of  no  less  than  fifteen 
hundred  persons,  and  of  a  character  so  very  improvident,  that 
after  feasting  most  gluttonously  whenever  a  whale  was  caught, 
hey  were  several  times  a  week  together,  reduced  to  the  ne- 
cessity of  eating  but  once  a  day,  and  of  collecting  cocklen 
and  muscles  from  the  rocks  for  their  food.  And  even  after 
the  cod  and  halibut  fishing  commenced  in  June,  in  which 
they  met  with  t(»lerablo  success,  such  was  the  savage  caprice 
of  Maquina  that  he  would  often  give  us  but  little  to  eat, 
finally  ordering  us  to  buy  a  canoe  and  fishing  implements, 
<uid  go  out  ourselves  and  fish,  or  we  should  have  nothing. 
To  do  this,  we  were  compelled  to  part  with  our  great  coata 
which  were  not  only  important  to  us  as  garments,  but  of 
which  w«  made  our  beds,  spreading  them  under  us  when  we 


■▲mBATlVI   OF  JOHN    A. 


11 


t56 


ilept.  From  our  want  of  skill,  however,  in  this  new  omploy 
we  met  with  no  bucccbh,  on  discovering  which,  Maquiaa  ord•^ 
ed  us  to  remain  ut  homo. 

Another  thing,  which  to  me  in  particular,  proved  an  almoat 
constant  source  of  vexation  and  disgust,  and  which  living 
among  them  had  not  in  the  least  reconciled  me  to,  was  their 
extreme  tilthiness,  not  only  in  eating  fish,  especially  the 
whale,  when  in  a  state  of  o^ensive  putridity,  but  while  at  their 
meals  of  making  a  practice  of  taking  the  vermin  from  their 
heads  or  clothes,  and  eating  them,  by  turns  thrusting  their 
fingers  into  their  hair,  and  into  the  dish,  and  spreading  their 
garments  over  the  tubs  in  which  the  provision  was  cooking, 
m  order  to  set  in  motion  their  inhabitants.  Fortunately  for 
Thompson,  he  regarded  this  much  less  than  myself,  and  when 
I  used  to  point  out  to  him  any  instance  of  their  (ilthineaa  in 
thia  respect)  he  would  laugh  and  reply.  Never  mind  John,  the 
more  good  things  the  better.  I  must  however  do  Maquina 
the  justice  to  state,  that  he  was  much  ;ieater  both  in  his  per- 
son and  eating  than  were  the  others,  as  was  likewise  his  queen, 
owing  no  doubt  to  his  intercourse  with  foreigners,  which  had 
given  him  ideas  of  cleanliness,  for  I  never  saw  either  of  them 
eat  any  of  these  animals,  but  on  the  contrary  they  appeared 
not  much  to  relish  this  taste  in  others.  Their  garments,  also, 
were  much  cleaner,  Maquina  having  been  accustomed  to  give 
hia  away  when  they  became  soiled,  till  afler  he  discovered 
that  Thompson  and  myself  kept  ours  clean  by  washing  them, 
when  he  used  to  make  Thompson  do  the  same  for  him. 

Yet  amidst  this  state  of  endurance  and  disappointment,  in 
hearing  repeatedly  of  the  arrival  of  ships  at  the  north  and 
south,  most  of  which  proved  to  be  idle  reports,  while  expecta- 
tion was  almost  wearied  out  in  looking  for  them,  we  did  not 
wholly  despond,  relying  on  the  mercy  of  the  Supreme  Being, 
to  offer  up  to  whom  our  devotions  on  the  days  appointed  for 
his  worship,  was  our  chief  consolation  and  support,  though  we 
were  sometimes  obliged  by  our  task-masters  to  infringe  upon 
the  Sabbath,  whiah  was  to  me  a  source  of  much  regret. 

We  were  nevertheless,  treated  at  times  with  much  kindness 
by  Maq'jina,  r/ho  would  give  us  a  plenty  of  the  best  that  he 
had  to  eat,  and  occasionally,  some  small  present  of  cloth  for  a 
garment,  promising  me,  that  if  any  ship  should  arrive  within 
a  hundred  miles  of  Nootka,  he  would  send  a  canoe  with  a 
letter  from  me  to  the  captain,  so  that  he  might  come  to  our 
release.  These  flattering  nromises  and  marks  of  attentioi 
were  however,  at  those  times,  wuenhe  thought  himself  in  per 


n  i 


\u 


VAmEATITB  Of  JOHlf  E.    IBWITT. 


MNial  danger  fVom  a  mutinous  spirit,  which  the  learoHy  of 
provision  had  excited  among  the  natives,  who,  like  true  sar- 
ages,  imputed  all  their  public  calamities,  of  whatever  kind,  to 
the  misconduct  of  their  chief,  or  when  he  was  apprehensive 
of  an  attack  from  some  of  the  other  tribes  who  were  irritated 
with  him  for  cutting  off  the  Boston,  as  it  had  prevented  ships 
from  coming  to  trade  with  them,  and  who  were  constantly 
alarming  him  with  idle  stories  of  vessels  that  were  preparing 
to  come  against  him,  and  exterminate  both  him  and  his  people 
the  Cayuquets.     At  such  times,  he  made  us  keep  guard  over 
him  both  nigt...  and  day,  armed  with  cutlasses  and  pistols, 
being  apparently   afraid  to  trust  any  of  his  own  men.     At 
one  time,  it  was  a  general  revolt  of  his  people  that  he  appre- 
hended— then  three  of  his  principal  chiefs,  among  whom  was 
his  elder  brother,  had  conspired  to  take  away  his  life,  and  at 
length  he  fancied  that  a  small  party  of  Klaooquates,  between 
whom  and  the  Nootkians,  little  friendship  subsisted,  had  come 
10  Nootka  under  a  pretence  of  trade,  for  the  sole  purpose  of 
murdering  him  and  his  family,  telling  us,  probably  to  sharpen 
our  vigilance,  that  their  intention  was  to  kill  us  likewise,  and 
■o  strongly  were  his  fears  excited  on  this  occasion,  that  he 
not  only  ordered  us  to  keep  near  him  armed  by  day,  when- 
ever he  went  out,  and  to  patrole  at  night   before  his  house 
while  they  remained,  but  to  continue  the  same  guard  ^o"  three 
days  after  they  were  gone,  and  to  fire  at  one  and  at  fou    *n 
the  morning,  one  of  the  great  guns,  to  let  them  know,  if,  as 
he  suspected,  they  were  lurking  in  the  neighborhood,  that  he 
was  on  his  guard.     While  he  wp?  thus  favorably  disposed 
towards  us,  I  took  an  opporturity  to  inform  him  of  th«*    '^ 
treatment  that  we  frequently  received  from  his  people,  and  \u^ 
insults  that  were  offered  us  by  some  of  the  stranger  tribes  la 
calling  us  white  slaves,  and  loading  us  with  other  opprobrious 
terms.     He  was  much  displeased,  and  said  that  his  subjects 
should  not  be  allowed  to  treat  us  ill,  and  that  if  any  of  the 
strangers  did  it,  he  wished   us  to  punish  the  offenders  with 
death,  at  the  same  time  directing  us  for  our  security,  to  go 
constantly  armed.      This  permission  was  soon  improved  by 
Thompson  to  the  best  advantage  ;  for  a  few  days  after,  hav- 
ing gone  to  the  pond  to  wash  some  of  our  clothes,  and  a  blanket 
for  Maquina,  several  Wickinninish  who  wero  then  at  Nootka 
came  thither,  and  seeii.g  him  washing  the  clothes,  and  the 
blanket  spread  upon  the  grass  to  dry,  they  began  according 
to  custom  to  insult  him,  and  one  of  them  bolder 'than  the 
•then,  walked  over  the  blanket.     Thompson  waa  hi|(Uf  ia* 


;  1 
M 


:  t- 


!      { 


268 


NAERATITE  OP  JOHK  R.   JEWITT, 


lUensed,  and  threatened  the  Indian  with  death  if  he  repealed  the 
offense,  but  he  in  contempi;  of  the  threat,  trainpled  upon  tha 
blanket,  when,  drawing  his  oatlass  without  farther  ceremony, 
Thompson  cut  off  his  head,  on  beeing  which  the  others  ran  off  at 
full  speed ;  Thompson  then  gathering  up  the  clothes  and  blanket 
on  which  were  the  marks  of  the  Indian's  dirty  feet,  and  taking 
with  him  the  head,  returned  and  iaformed  the  king  of  what  had 

gassed,  who  was  much  pleased,  and  hi^^hly  commended  his  con- 
uct.  Tiis  had  a  favorable  effect  for  ua,  not  only  on  the  stranger 
tribes,  bat  the  inhabitants  themselves,  who  treated  us  afterwarda 
with  leei  disrespect.  -^,.. 


'■i 


.    J.S*»'' 


MAiaUTG  WiiAPONS  FOB  SIAQUmA.  >   ■ 

In  the  latter  pari;  of  July,  Maquina  informed  me  that  he  was 
^oiigto  war  witD.  the  A-y-charts,  a  tribe  living  at  about  fifty 
mil^tf  to  the  south,  en  &A5count  of  some  controversythat  had  arisen 
the  preceding  summer,  and  tha^  I  muet  make  a  number  of  dag- 
gers for  his  men,  and  cheetoolths  for  his  ^f hiefs,  which  having 
completed,  he  wished  me  to  make  for  his  own  use  a  weapon  of 
quite  a  different  form,  in  order  to  dispatch  his  enemy  by  one  blow 
on  tiie  head,  it  being  tb.e  calculation  of  these  nations  on  going  to 
wa :,  to  surprise  their  aiiversaries  while  asleejp.  This  was  a  steel 
dagger,  or  mt  re  properly  a  spike,  of  about  six  inches  long,  made 
T^ry  sharp,  set  at  right  angles  in  an  iron  handle  of  fifteen  inches 
lo^g  terminating  at  the  lower  end  in  a  crook  or  turn,  so  as  to  pre- 
vent its  being  wrenched  from  the  hand,  and  at  the  upper,  m  a 
round  knob  or  head,  from  whence  the  spike  protruded.  Thisinstm- 
m«nt  I  polished  highly,  and  the  more  to  please  Maquicn.^  foruedon 


rl 


■^w^^ 


ii|lf.illWW(,"mil'  ^r,iini'"ii|W,y,IW^|ji.l|iJmij|) 


in-i<^n»fi'iT>wi«wiain 


or  joHif  B.  JBwm. 

he  baek  of  the  knob,  the  resemblance  of  a  man's  head,  with 

be  mouth  open,  substituting  for  eyes,  black  beads,  which  I 

astened  in  with  red  sealing  wax.     This  pleased  him  much, 

and  was  greatly  admired  by  his  chiefs,  who  wanted  me  to 

make  similar  ones  for  them,  but  Maquina  would  not  suffer  it, 

reserving  for  himself  alone  this  weapon. 

When  these  people  have  finally  determined  on  war,  they 
make  it  an  invariable  practice  for  three  or  four  weeks  prior  to 
the  expedition,  to  go  into  the  water  five  or  six  times  a  day 
where  they  wash  and  scrub  themselves  from  head  to  foot  witk 
briars,  so  that  their  bodies  and  faces  will  often  be  erjtirely 
covered  with  blood.  During  this  severe  exercise,  they  are 
continually  exclaiming,  *'  Wocash  Quahootze,  Teechamme  ah 
welth,  wik-etish  tauilth — Kar-sab-matemas — Wik-sish  to  hauk 
matemas — I  ya-ish  kah  shittle — As-smootish  warish  matemas. 
— Which  signifies,  Good,  or  great  God,  let  me  live — Not  be 
sick — Find  the  enemy — Not  fear  him — Find  him  asleep,  and 
kill  a  great  many  of  him. 

During  the  whole  of  this  period,  they  have  no  intercourse 
with  their  women,  and  for  a  week,  at  least,  before  setting  out, 
abstain  from  feasting  or  any  kind  of  merriment,  appearing 
thoughtful,  gloomy,  and  more  e,  and  for  the  last  three  daya, 
are  almost  constantly  in  the  water,  both  day  and  night,  scrub- 
bing and  lacerating  themselves  in  a  terrible  manner.  Maquina 
having  informed  Thompson  and  myself  that  he  should  take  us 
with  him,  was  very  solicitous  that  we  should  bathe  and  scrub 
ourselves  in  the  same  way  with  them,  telling  me  that  it  would 
harden  our  skins  so  that  the  weapons  of  the  enemy  would  not 
pierce  them,  but  as  we  felt  no  great  inclination  to  amuse  our- 
selves in  this  manner^  we  declined  it. 

The  expedition  consisted  of  forty  canoes,  carrying  from  ten 
to  twenty  men  each.  Thompson  and  myself  armed  ourselves 
with  cutlasses  and  pistols,  but  the  natives,  although  they  had 
a  plenty  of  European  arms,  took  with  them  only  their  daggers 
and  cheetoolths,  with  a  few  bows  and  arrows,  the  latter  being 
about  a  yard  in  length,  and  pointed  with  copper,  muscle  shell, 
or  bone  ;  the  bows  are  four  feet  and  a  half  long,  with  strings 
made  of  whale  sinew. 

To  go  to  A-y-chart,  we  ascended  from  twenty  to  thirty 
miles,  a  river  about  the  size  of  that  of  Tashees,  th<^  banks  oi 
which  are  high  and  covered  with  wood.  ,  At  midnight,  we 
came  in  sight  of  the  village,  which  was  situated  on  th&  west 
bank  near  the  shore,  on  a  steep  hill  difficult  of  access,  and 
well  cmlculatQd  for  defeoea      It  ooasistsd  of  fifleen  or  sizteea 


>■  •<■ 


I  I  \ 


I 


,1 


F     i 

M 
i  i 


260 


KABBATIVE  OF  JOHK  B.   JEWTTT. 


houses,  smaller  than  those  of  Nootka,  and  built  in  the  same  style, 
but  compactly  placed.  By  Maquina's  directions,  the  attack  was 
deferred  until  the  first  appearance  of  dawn,  as  he  said  that  was  th« 
time  when  men  slept  the  soundest 


\. 


• 


At  length  all  being  ready  for  the  attack,  we  landed  with  fhe 
greatest  silence,  and  going  around  so  as  to  come  upon  the  foe  in 
file  rear,  clambered  up  the  hill,  and  while  the  natives,  as  is  tilieir 
custom,  entered  the  several  huts,  creeping  on  all  fours,  my  com- 
rade  and  myself  stationed  ourselves  without  to  intercept  those  who 
should  attempt  to  escape,  or  come  to  the  aid  of  their  friends.  I 
wished  if  possible,  not  to  stain  my  hands  in  the  blood  of  any  fellow 
creature,  and  though  Thompson  would  gladly  have  put  to  death 
all  the  savages  in  the  country,  he  was  too  brave  to  think  of  attack- 
ing a  sleeping  enemy.  Having  en  tered  the  houses,  on  the  war-whoop 
bemg  given  by  Maquina,  as  he  »iezed  the  head  of  the  chief,  and 
gave  him  the  fatal  blow,  all  pro'jeeded  to  the  work  of  death.  The 
A-y-charts  being  thus  surprised,  were  unable  to  make  resistance, 
and  with  the  exception  of  a  very  few,  were  all  killed  oi  taken 
j>risoner8  on  condition  of  becoming  slaves  to  their  captors.  I  also 
nad  the  good  fortune  to  take  four  captives,  whom  Maquina  as  a 
favor,  permitted  me  to  consider  as  mine,  and  occasionally  employ 
them  in  fishing  for  me ;  as  for  Thompson,  who  thirsted  for  revenge, 
he  had  no  wisn  to  take  any  prisoners,  but  with  his  cutlass  the  only 
weapon  he  would  employ  against  them,  succeeded  in  killing  seven 
stout  fellows,  who  came  to  attack  him,  an  act  which  obtained 
bisi  ^jiMt  ccidit  with  Ma<|uinA  »ad  the  obiefs,  who  altovtbifl^  held 


'  ■  I  i 


V  1! 


MABftATIVK    OF   JOHN    ».   JIWITT 


161 


bim  in  much  higldr  estimation,  anH  ^avo  him  the  appellatko 
of  Chc!iiel-8uma-har,  it  being  the  name  of  a  very  celebrated 
warrior  of  their  nation  in  ancient  times,  whose  exploits  wero 
the  constant  theme  of  their  praise. 

After  having  put  to  death  all  the  oid  and  infirm  of  either 
sex,  as  is  the  barbarous  practice  of  these  people,  and  destroy- 
ed the  buildings,  we  re-embarked  with  our  booty  in  our  canoc8| 
for  Nootka,  where  we  were  received  with  great  demonstrations 
of  joy  by  ihe  women  and  children,  accompanying  our  war 
song  with  a  most  furious  drumming  on  the  houses.  The  next 
day  a  great  feast  was  given  by  Maquina,  in  celebration  of  his 
victory,  which  was  terminated  as  usual  with  a  dance  by  Sat- 
sat-sak-sis. 

Repeated  application  had  been  made  to  Maquina,  by  a 
number  of  kings  or  chiefs,  to  purchase  me,  especially  afler 
he  had  shown  them  the  harpoons  I  had  made  for  him,  which 
he  took  much  pride  in,  but  he  constniitly  refused  to  part  with 
me  on  any  terms. — Among  these,  the  king  of  the  Wickin- 
ninish  was  particularly  solicitous  to  obtain  me,  having  twice 
applied  to  Maquina  for  that  purpose,  once  in  a  very  formal 
manner,  by  sending  his  messenger  with  four  canoes,  who  as 
he  approached  the  shore,  decorated  in  their  highest  style,  with 
the  white  down  on  his  head,  &(.c.  declared  that  he  came  to  buy 
Tooteyoohannis,  the  name  by  which  I  was  known  to  them, 
for  his  master,  and  that  he  had  brought  for  tnat  purpose  four 
young  male  slaves,  two  highly  ornamented  canoes,  such  a 
number  of  skins  of  the  metamelth,  and  of  the  quartlack,  or 
sea-otter,  and  so  many  fathoms  of  cloth,  and  of  i-whaw,  while 
as  he  mentioned  the  different  articles,  they  were  pointed  out 
or  held  up  by  his  attendants^  but  even  this  tempting  offer  had 
no  influence  on  Maquina  ;  who  in  the  latter  pan  of  the  sum- 
mer, was  again  very  strongly  urged  to  sell  me  by  (Jlatilla,  or 
chief  of  the  Klaizzarts,  who  had  con^e  to  Nootka  on  a  visit. 

This  chief,  who  could  speak  tolerable  English,  had  much 
more  the  ap|)earance  of  a  civilized  man  than  any  of  the  sav- 
ages that  I  saw.  He  appeared  to  be  about  thirty,  was  rather 
small  in  his  person,  but  extremely  well  formed,  with  a  skin 
almost  as  fair  as  that  of  an  European,  ^ood  features,  and  a 
countenance  expressive  of  candor  and  amiableness,  and  which 
was  almost  always  hriglitened  with  a  .smile.  He  was  much 
neater  both  in  his  dress  and  person  than  any  of  the  other 
chiefs,  seldom  wearing  paint,  except  upon  his  eye-brows, 
which  afler  the  custom  of  his  country,  were  plucked  out,  and 
a  faa  strips  of  the  pelpeltb  on  the  lower  part  of  his  face.    Ha 


NAARATITB  OV  JOHN   B.   JIWITT. 


I 


>, 


U 


always  treated  me  with  much  kindness,  was  fond  «f  conTeri^ 
ing  with  me  in  English  and  in  his  own  language,  asking  me 
many  questions  relative  to  my  country,  its  manners,  custonui) 
kc.  and  appeared  to  take  a  strong  interest  in  my  fate,  telling 
me,  that  if  he  could  persuade  Maquina  to  part  with  me,  he 
would  put  me  on  board  the  first  ship  that  came  to  his  country; 
a  promise,  which  from  his  subsequent  conduct,  I  have  good 
reason  to  think  he  would  have  performed,  as  my  deliverance, 
at  length,  from  captivity  and  suffering  was,  under  the  favor  of 
divine  providence,  wholly  owing  to  him,  the  only  letter  that 
ever  reached  an  European  or  American  vessel,  out  of  sixteen 
that  I  wrote  at  different  times,  and  sent  to  various  parts  of  the 
coast,  having  been  delivered  by  him  in  person.  So  much 
pleased  was  f  with  this  man's  behavior  tome  while  at  Nootka, 
that  I  made  for  him  a  Cheetoolth,  which  I  burnished  highly, 
and  engraved  with  figures  ;  with  this  he  was  greatly  delighted, 
[  also  would  have  made  for  him  a  harpoon  would  Maquina 
ha^e  consented. 

With  hearts  full  of  dejection  and  almost  lost  to  hope,  no  ship 
having  appeared  off  Nootka  this  season,  did  my  companion 
and  myaelf  accompany  the  tribe  on  their  removal  in  September 
to  Tashees,  relinquishing  in  consequence,  for  six  months, 
even  the  remotest  expectation  of  relief. 

Soon  afler  our  estabhshment  there,  Maquina  informed  me, 
that,  he  and  his  chiefs  had  held  council  both  before  and  afler 
quitting  Nootka,  in  which  they  had  determined  that  I  must 
marry  one  of  their  women,  urging  as  a  reason  to  induce  me  to 
consent,  that  as  there  was  no  probability  of  a  ship  coming  to 
Nootka  to  release  me,  that  I  must  consider  myself  as  destmed 
to  pass  the  remainder  of  my  life  with  them,  that  the  sooner  I 
conformed  to  their  customs  the  better,  and  that  a  wife  and 
family  would  render  me  more  contented  and  satisfied  with  their 
mod^  of  living.  I  remonstrated  against  this  decision,  but  to  no 
purpojae,  for  hie  told  me  that  should  I  refuse,  both  Thompson  and 
myself  would  be  put  to  death,  telling  me  however,  that  if  there 
were  none  of  the  women  of  his  tribe  that  pleased  me,  ha 
would  go  with  me  to  some  of  the  other  tribe,  where  he  woald 
pi'jrchase  for  me  such  an  one  as  I  should  select.  Reduced  to 
this  sad  extremity,  with  deatii  on  the  one  side,  and  matrimony 
on  the  other,  1  thought  proper  to  choose  what  appeared  to  ma 
the  least  of  the  two  evils,  and  consent  to  be  in?.rried,  on  con- 
dition, that  as  I  did  not  fancy  any  of  the  Nootka  women,  I 
ihould  be  permitted  to  make  choice  of  one  firoro  some  otti»^ 
tribe 


■ABmAtin  jy  jom  i.  ibwitv. 


This  being  settled,  the  next  morning  by  daylight  Mmquins 
irith  about  fifly  men  in  twn  canoes,  set  out  with  me  for  A>i- 
tiz-zart,  taking  with  him  h  quantity  of  cloth,  a  number  of  mu»> 
kets,  sea-otter  okinf ,  &c.  for  the  purchase  of  my  bride.  With 
the  aid  of  our  paddles  and  sails  being  favoured  with  a  fair 
breeze,  we  ariived  soinc  time  before  sunset  at  the  village 
Our  arrival  excited  a  general  alarn»^  and  the  men  hastened  to 
the  shore,  armed  with  the  weapons  of  their  country,  making 
many  warlike  demonstrations,  and  displaying  much  zeal  and 
activity.  We  in  the  mean  time  remained  quietly  seated  in 
our  canoes,  where  we  remained  for  about  half  an  hour,  when 
the  messenger  of  the  chief,  dressed  in  their  best  manner,  came 
to  welcom''  us,  and  invite  us  on  shore  to  eat.  We  followed 
him  in  procession  to  the  chief  ^s  house,  Maquina  at  our  head, 
taking  care  to  leave  a  sufficient  number  in  the  boats  to  protect 
the  property.  When  we  came  to  the  house,  we  were  ushered 
in  with  much  ceremony,  and  our  respective  seats  pointed  out 
to  us,  mine  being  next  to  Maquina  by  his  request. 

After  having  been  regaled  with  a  feast  of  herring  spawn 
and  oil,  Maquina  asked  me  if  I  saw  any  among  the  women  who 
were  present  that  I  liked,  1  immediately  pointed  out  to  him  a 
young  girl  of  about  seventeen,  the  daughter  of  Upquesta,  the 
chief,  who  was  sitting  near  him  by  her  mother.  On  this  Ma- 
quina making  a  sign  to  his  men,  arose  and  taking  me  by  the 
hand,  walked  into  the  middle  of  the  room,  and  sent  ofi'two  of 
his  men  to  bring  the  boxes  containing  the  presents  from  the 
canoes.  In  the  mean  time  Kinneclimmets,  the  master  of 
ceremonies,  whom  I  have  already  spoken  of,  made  himseli 
ready  for  the  part  he  was  to  act,  by  powdering  his  hair  with 
the  white  down.  When  the  chests  were  brought  in,  speci- 
mens of  the  several  articles  were  taken  out,  and  shewed  by 
our  men,  one  of  whom  held  up  a  musket,  another  a  skin^  a 
third  a  piece  of  cloth.  Sec.  On  this  Kinneclimmets  stepped 
forward,  and  addressing  the  chief,  informed  him  that  all  these 
belonged  to  me,  mentioning  the  number  of  each  kind,  and 
that  they  were  offered  him  foi  the  purchase  of  his  daughter 
Eu-stoch-ee-exqua,  as  a  wife  for  me.  As  he  said  this,  the 
men  who  held  up  the  various  articles,  walked  up  to  the  chief, 
and  with  a  very  stern  and  morose  look,  the  complimentary  one 
on  *hese  occasions,  threw  them  at  his  feet.  Immediately  on 
which,  all  the  tribe,  both  men  and  women,  who  were  assem- 
bled on  this  occasion,  set  up  a  cry  of  Kiack-ko-Tyee,  that  is, 
Thank  ye  chief  His  men,  after  this  ceremony,  having  re- 
hirned  to  their  places,  Maquina  arose  and  in  a  speech  of  more 


■J 


■  -'M-i 


•84 


KAMUTIVB  or   JOHN   E     JBWITT. 


'  St. 


than  half  an  hour,  said  much  in  my  prnise  to  the  A-i-tta-zan 
chief,  telling  him  that  I  was  as  good  a  man  as  themselves^  dif- 
fering from  them  only  in  be  ing  white,  that  I  was  besides  ac- 
?uainted  with  many  things  of  which  they  were  ignorant ;  that 
knew  how  to  make  daggers,  cheetoolth,  and  harpoons,  and 
was  a  very  valuable  person,  whom  he  was  determined  to  keep 
always  with  him  ;  praising  me  at  the  same  time  for  the  good- 
ness of  my  temper  and  the  manner  in  which  I  had  conducted 
since  I  had  been  with  them,  observing  that  all  the  people  of 
Nootka,  and  even  the  children  loved  me. 

While  Maquina  was  speaking,  his  master  of  ceremonies 
was  continually  skipping  about,  making  the  most  extravagant 
gestures,  and  exclaiming  Wocash.  When  he  hc»  '  'teased,  the 
A-i-tiz-zart  chief  arose  amidst  the  acclamations  ol  his  people, 
and  began  with  setting  forth  the  many  good  qualities  and  ac- 
complishments of  his  daughter  ;  that  he  loved  her  greatly, 
and  as  she  was  his  only  one,  he  could  not  think  of  parting 
with  her.  He  spoke  in  this  manner  for  some  time,  but  finally 
concluded  by  consenting  to  the  proposed  union,  requesting 
that  she  might  be  well  used  and  kindly  treated  by  her  hus- 
band. At  the  close  of  this  speech,  «vhen  the  chief  began  to 
manifest  a  disposition  to  consent  to  our  union,  Kinneclimmets 
again  began  to  call  out  as  loud  as  he  could  bawl,  Wocash,  cut- 
ting a  thousand  capers  and  spinning  himself  around  on  his  heel 
like  a  top. 

When  Upquestra  had  finished  his  speech,  he  directed  his 
people  to  carry  back  the  presents  which  Maquina  had  given 
him,  to  me,  together  witi  two  young  male  slaves  to  assist  me 
in  fishing.  These,  afler  having  been  placed  before  me,  were 
by  Maquina's  men  taken  on  board  the  canoes.  This  cere- 
mony being  over,  we  were  invited  by  one  of  the  principal 
chiefs  to  a  feast  at  his  house,  of  Klussamit,  or  dried  herring, 
where  after  the  eating  was  over,  Kinneclimmets  amused  the 
company  very  highly  with  his  tricks,  and  the  evening's  enter- 
tainment was  closed  by  a  new  war-song  from  our  men,  and 
one  in  return  from  the  A-i-tiz-zi*rts,  accompanied  with  expres- 
•ive  gestures,  and  wielding  of  their  weapons. 

Af\er  this,  our  company  returned  to  lodge  at  Upquestra  a, 
except  a  few  who  were  left  on  board  th(  canoe  to  wal;ch  the 
property.  In  the  morning  I  received  from  the  chief  his 
daughter,  with  an  earnest  request  that  I  would  use  her  well, 
which  I  promised  him,  when  taking  leave  of  her  parents, 
she  accompanied  me  with  apparent  satisfaction  on  board  of 
thm  oanoe 


MAmmATivB  or  johm  m.  jbwitt. 


tsi 


The  wind  being  ahead,  the  natives  were  obliged  to  hare  re- 
course to  their  paddles,  accompanying  them  with  their  songs, 
interspersed  with  the  witticisms  and  buifoonry  of  Kinneclim- 
mets,  who,  in  his  capacity  of  king's  steersman,  one  of  his 
functions  which  I  forgot  to  enumerate,  not  only  guided  the 
course  of  the  canoe,  but  regulated  the  singing  of  the  boat- 
men. At  about  five  in  the  morning,  we  reached  Tasheos, 
where  we  found  all  the  inhabitants  collected  on  the  shore  to 
receive  us.  We  were  welcomed  with  loud  shouts  of  joy,  and 
exclamations  of  Wocash,  and  the  women  taking  my  bride 
under  their  charge,  conducted  her  to  Maquina's  house,  to  be 
kept  with  them  for  ten  days  ;  it  being  an  universal  custom  as 
Maquina  informed  me,  that  no  intercourse  should  take  place 
between  the  new  married  pair  during  that  period.  At  night 
Maquina  gave  a  great  feast,  which  was  succeeded  by  a  dance, 
in  which  all  the  women  joined,  and  thus  ended  the  festivities 
of  my  marriage. 

The  term  of  my  restriction  over,  Maquina  assigned  me  as 
an  apartment,  the  space  in  the  upper  part  of  his  house,  between 
him  and  his  elder  brother,  whose  room  was  opposite.  Here  I 
established  myself  with  my  family,  consisting  of  myself  and 
wife,  Thompson  and  the  little  Sat-sat-sak-sis,  who  haJ  always 
been  strongly  attached  to  me,  and  now  solicited  his  father  to 
let  him  live  with  me,  to  which  he  consented.  This  boy  was 
handsome,  extremely  well  formed,  amiable,  and  of  a  pleasant, 
sprightly  disposition.  I  used  to  take  a  pleasure  in  decorating 
him  with  rings,  bracelets,  ear  jewels,  &.c.  which  I  made  for 
him  of  copper,  and  ornamented  and  polished  them  in  my  best 
manner.  I  was  also  very  careful  to  keep  him  free  from  ver- 
min of  every  kind,  washing  him  and  combing  his  hair  everj 
day.  These  marks  of  attention  were  not  only  very  pleasing 
to  the  child,  who  delighted  in  being  kept  neat  and  clean,  as 
well  as  in  being  dressed  off  in  his  finery,  but  was  highly 
gratifying  both  to  Maquina  and  his  queen,  who  used  to  ex- 
press much  satisfaction  at  my  care  of  him. 

In  making  my  domestic  establishment,  I  determined,  as  far 
as  possible,  to  live  in  a  more  comfortable  and  cleanly  manner 
than  the  others.  For  this  purpose,  I  erected  with  planks,  a 
partition  of  about  three  feet  high,  between  mine  and  the  adjom- 
ing  rooms,  and  made  three  bedsteads  of  the  same,  which  I  sover- 
ed  with  boards,  for  my  family  to  sleep  on,  which  I  found  much 
more  comfortable  than  sleeping  on  the  floor  amidst  the  dirt. 

Fortunately  I  found  my  Indian  princess  both  amiable  andin* 
telligent,  for  one  whose  limited  sphere  of  observation  must 

Win   I  li 


jiAlUUtiTt  OP  sonn  n.  JSffivff. 


eefMuily  give  rise  to  but  a  few  ideas .  She  wm  extremelj  iMulf 
to  agree  to  any  thing  that  1  proposed  relative  to  our  mode  of 
living,  was  very  attentive  in  keeping  her  garments  and  person 
neat  and  clean,  and  appeared  in  every  respect,  solicitous  to 
please  me.  She  was,  as  I  have  said,  about  seventeen  ;  her 
person  was  small,  but  well  formed,  as  were  her  features,  her 
complexion  was,  without  exception,  fairer  than  any  of  the 
women,  with  considerable  color  in  her  cheeks,  her  hair  long, 
black,  and  much  soAer  than  is  usual  with  them,  and  her  teeth 
small,  even,  and  of  a  dazzling  whiteness,  while  the  expres- 
sion of  her  countenance,  indicated  sweetness  of  temper  and 
modesty.  She  would,  indeed,  have  been  corisidered  as  very 
pretty,  in  any  country,  and  excepting  Maquina's  queen,  was 
by  far  the  handsomest  of  any  of  their  women. 

With  a  partner  possessing  so  many  attractions,  many  may 
be  apt  to  conclude,  that  I  must  have  found  myself  happy,  at 
least  comparatively  so  ;  but  far  otherwise  was  it  with  me,  a 
compulsory  marriage  with  the  most  i)eautiful  and  accomplished 
person  in  the  world,  can  never  prove  a  source  of  real  happiness, 
and  in  my  situation,  I  could  not  but  view  this  connection  as  a 
chain  that  was  to  bind  me  down  to  this  savage  land,  and  prevent 
my  ever  again  seeing  a  civilized  country  ;  especially,  when  in 
a  few  days  after,  Maquina  informed  me  tljat  there  had  been  a 
meeting  of  his  chiefs  in  which  it  was  determined,  that  as  I  had 
married  one  of  their  women,  I  must  be  considered  as  one  of 
them,  and  conform  to  their  customs,  and  that  in  future,  neither 
myself  nor  Thompson  should  wear  our  European  clothes,  but 
dress  in  Kutsaks  like  themselves.  This  order  was  to  me  most 
painful,  but  I  persuaded  Maquina,  at  length,  so  far  to  relaii 
m  it  as  to  permit  me  to  wear  those  I  had  at  present,  which 
were  almost  worn  out,  and  not  to  compel  Thompson  to  change 
nis  dress,  observing,  that  as  he  was  an  old  man,  such  a  change 
would  cause  his  death. 

Their  religious  celebration,  which  the  lao»  year  took  place  m 
December,  was  in  this,  commenced  on  the  15th  of  November, 
and  continued  for  fourteen  days.  As  I  was  now  considered 
as  one  of  them,  instead  of  being  ordered  to  the  woods,  Ma- 
quina directed  Thompson  and  myself  to  remain,  and  pray  with 
them  to  Quahootze  to  be  good  to  them,  and  thank  him  for 
what  he  had  done.  It  was  opened  in  much  the  same  manner 
as  the  former.  After  which,  all  the  men  and  women  in  the 
village  assembled  at  Maquina's  house,  in  their  plainest 
dresses,  and  without  any  kind  of  ornaments  about  them,  hav> 
wg  their  heads  bound  around  witi  the  red  fillet,  a  token  of 


r^ 


KAMATrVB  or  JOBlf  ft.  JIWITT. 


jejection  and  humiliation,  and  their  coonteminces  ^zpreamT* 
of  soriousness  and.  melancholy.  The  performance  dunng  the 
continuance  of  this  celebration,  consisted  almost  wholly  in 
singing  a  number  of  songs  to  mournful  airs,  the  king  regulat- 
ing the  time  by  beating  on  his  hollow  plank  or  drum,  accom 
panied  by  one  of  his  chiefs,  seated  near  him  with  the  great 
rattle.  In  the  mean  time,  they  eat  but  seldom,  and  then  very 
little,  retiring  to  sleep  late,  and  rising  at  the  first  appearance 
of  dawn,  and  even  interrupting  this  short  period  of  repose,  by 
getting  up  at  midnight  and  singing.  It  was  terminated  by  an 
exhibition  of  a  similar  character  to  the  one  of  the  last  year, 
but  still  more  cruel,  A  boy  of  twelve  years  old,  with  sii 
bayonets  run  into  his  flesh,  one  through  each  arm  and  thigh, 
and  through  each  side  close  to  the  ribs,  was  carried  around  the 
room,  suspended  upon  them,  without  manifesting  any  symp- 
toms of  pain.  Maquina,  on  my  enquiring  the  reasons  of  this 
display,  informed  me  that  it  was  an  ancient  custom  of  his  nation, 
to  sacrifice  a  man  at  the  close  of  this  solemnity  in  honor  of 
their  God,  but  that  his  father'had  abolished  it,  and  substituted 
this  in  its  place.  The  whole  closed  on  the  evening  of  the 
29th,  with  a  great  feast  of  salmon  spawn  and  oil,  at  which  the 
natives  as  usual,  made  up  for  their  late  abstinence. 

A  few  days  after  a  circumstance  occurred,  which,  from  its 
singularity,  I  cannot  forbear  mentioning.  I  was  sent  for  by 
ray  neighbor  Yealthlower,  the  king's  elder  brother,  to  file  his 
teeth,  which  operation  having  performed,  he  informed  me  that 
a  new  wife,  whom  he  had  a  little  time  before  purchased,  hav- 
ing refused  to  sleep  with  him,  it  was  his  intention,  provided 
she  persisted  in  her  refusal,  to  bite  oflT  her  nose.  I  endeavor- 
ed to  dissuade  him  from  it,  but  he  was  determined,  and  in  fact, 
performed  his  savage  threat  that  very  night,  saying  that  since 
she  would  not  be  h>s  wife,  she  should  not  be  that  of  any  other, 
and  in  the  morning  sent  her  back  to  her  father. 

This  inhuman  act  did  not,  however,  proceed  from  any  innate 
crjelty  of  dispositio.1,  or  malice,  as  he  was  far  from  being  of 
a  barbarous  temper  ;  but  such  is  the  despotism  exercised  by 
these  savages  over  their  women,  that  he  no  doubt  considered  it 
as  a  just  punishment  for  her  offence,  in  being  so  obstinate  and 
perverse  ;  as  he  afterwards  told  me,  that  in  similar  cases,  the 
husband  had  a  right,  with  them,  to  disfigure  his  wife  in  this 
way,  or  some  other,  to  prevent  her  ever  marrying  again. 

About  the  middle  of  December,  we  left  Tashees  for  Coo|^^ 
tee.  As  usual  at  this  season,  we  found  the  herring  in  groat 
plenty^  and  here  the  same  scene  of  riotous  feasting  as  I  wit* 


M8 


WABEATITB  OV  JOIlf  S.  llWITf. 


oeMed  the  lait  year,  was  renewed  by  our  impro? ident  iiali?Mi 
wbO)  in  addition  to  their  usual  fare,  had  a  plentiAil  auppljr  of 
wild  geese,  which  were  brought  us  in  great  quantities  by  the 
Esquates.  These,  as  Maquinu  informed  me,  were  caught 
with  nets  made  from  bark,  in  the  fresh  waters  of  that  country. 
Those  who  take  them,  make  choice  for  that  purpose,  of  a  dark 
ar.d  rainy  night,  and  with  their  canoes  stuck  with  lighted 
torches,  proceed  with  as  little  noise  as  possible,  to  the  place 
where  the  geese  aro  collected,  who,  dazzled  by  the  light, 
suffer  themselves  to  be  approached  very  near,  when  the  net 
is  thrown  over  them,  and  in  this  manner,  from  fifty  to  sixty,  or 
even  more,  will  sometimes  be  taken  at  one  cast. 

On  the  15th  of  January,  1805,  about  midnight,  I  was  thrown 
urio  considerable  alarm,  in  consequence  of  an  eclipse  of  the 
moon*  being  awakened  from  my  sleep  by  a  great  outcry  of  the 
inhabitants.  On  going  to  discover  the  cause  of  this  tumult, 
I  found  them  all  out  of  their  houses,  bearing  lighted  tor<^e8, 
singing  and  beating  upon  pieces  of  plank,  and  when  I  asked 
them  the  reason  of  this  proceeding,  they  pointed  to  the  moon, 
and  said  that  a  great  cod-fish  was  endeavoring  to  swallow  lier, 
and  that  they  were  driving  him  away.  The  origin  of  this  su- 
perstition I  could  not  discover. 

On  the  20th  of  Feb.  we  returned  to  ar  summer  quarters 
at  Nootka,  but  on  my  part,  with  far  different  sensations  than 
the  last  spring,  being  now  almost  in  despaii  of  any  vessel  ar- 
riving to  release  us,  or  our  being  permitted  to  depart  if  there 
should.  Soon  afler  our  return,  as  preparatory  to  the  whaling 
season,  Maquina  ordered  me  to  make  a  good  number  of  har- 
poons for  himself  and  his  chiefs,  several  of  which  I  had  com- 
pleted with  some  lances,  when  on  the  16th  of  March,  I  was 
taken  very  ill  with  a  violent  cholic,  caused,  I  presume,  from 
my  having  suffered  so  much  froni  the  cold  in  going  without 
proper  clothing.  For  a  number  of  hours  I  was  in  great  pain, 
and  expected  to  die,  and  on  its  leaving  me,  I  was  so  weak  as 
scarcely  to  be  able  to  stand,  while  I  had  nothing  comforting  to 
take,  nor  any  thing  to  drink  but  cold  water.  On  the  day  fol- 
lowing a  slave  belonging  to  Maquina  died,  and  was  immediate- 
ly, as  is  their  custom  in  such  cases,  toesed  unceremoniously  out 
of  doors,  from  whence  he  was  taken  by  some  others,  and 
thrown  into  the  water.  The  treatment  of  this  poor  creature 
made  a  melancholy  impression  upon  my  mind,  as  I  could  not 
but  think,  that  such  probably  would  be  my  fate,  should  I  die 
amone  these  heathen,  and  so  far  from  receiving  a  decent  bu- 
ria),  that  I  should  not  even  be  allowed  the  conunon  privilege 
of  having  a  little  earth  thrown  over  my  remains. 


or  JOHiv  R.  Jiwtrr. 


The  feebleness  in  which  the  violent  attack  of  my  disorder  bad 
eft  me,  the  dejection  I  felt  at  the  almost  hopelessness  of  my 
situation,  and  the  want  of  warm  clothing  ana  proper  nursing, 
though  my  Indian  wife,  aa  far  as  she  knew  how,  wan  always 
ready,  and  even  solicitous,  to  do  every  thing  for  me  she  could, 
still  kept  me  very  much  indisposed,  which  Maquina  perceiv- 
ing, be  finally  told  me,  that  ii'  I  did  not  like  living  with  my 
wife,  and  that  was  the  cause  of  my  being  so  sad,  I  might  part 
w'th  her.  This  proposal  I  readily  accepted,  and  the  nest 
day  Maquinn  sent  her  back  to  her  father.  On  parting  with 
mc,  she  discovered  much  emotion,  begging  me  that  I  would 
suffer  her  to  remain  until  I  had  recovered,  as  there  was  no  one 
(o  take  so  good  care  of  me  as  herself.  But  when  I  told  her  she 
must  go,  for  that  I  did  not  think  I  should  ever  recover,  which 
in  truth  I  but  little  expected,  and  that  her  father  would  take 
good  care  of  her,  and  treat  her  much  more  kindly  than  Ma- 
quina, she  took  an  affectionate  leave,  telling  me  that  she 
hoped  I  should  soon  get  better,  and  leaving  he**  two  slaves  to 
take  care  of  me. 

Though  I  rejoiced  at  her  departure,  I  ''^as  greatly  affected 
with  the  simple  expressions  of  her  regard  for  me,  and  could 
not  but  feel  strongly  interested  for  this  poor  girl,  who  in  all 
her  conduct  towards  me,  had  discovered  so  much  mildness 
and  attention  to  my  wishes;  and  had  it  not  been  that  I  consid- 
ered her  as  an  almost  insuperable  obstacle  to  my  being  per- 
mitted to  leave  the  country,  I  should  i  )  doubt  have  felt  the 
deprivation  of  her  society  a  real  loss.  Afler  her  departure, 
1  requested  Maquina,  that,  as  I  had  parted  with  my  wife,  he 
would  permit  me  to  resume  my  European  dress,  for,  other- 
wise, from  not  having  been  accustomed  to  dress  like  them,  I 
should  certainly  die.  To  this  he  consented,  and  I  once  more 
became  comfortably  clad. 

Change  of  clothing,  but  more  than  all,  the  hopes  which  I 
now  began  to  indulge,  that  in  the  course  of  the  summer  I 
should  be  ablp,  to  escape,  in  a  short  time  restored  me  to  health, 
60  far,  that  1  could  again  go  to  work  in  making  harpoons  for 
Mnquina,  who,  probably  fearing  that  he  should  have  to  part 
with  me,  determined  to  provide  himself  with  a  good  stock. 

I  shall  not  however,  longer  detain  the  reader  with  a  detail 
of  occurrences  that  intervened  between  this  period,  and  that 
of  my  escape,  which,  fron)  that  dull  uniformity  that  marks  the 
Ravage  life,  would  be  in  a  measure,  but  repetitions,  nor  dwell 
upon  that  mental  torture  I  endured,  from  a  constant  conflict  of 
hope  wad  fear,  when  the  former,  almost  wearied  out  with  r»> 


^« 


I  IV'IHPU        I  ii !.  ■ 


/ 


IIABAATITB  OV  JOHlf  E.   JIWITT 


poated  dumppointment,  ofTcrcd  to  our  sinking  hearts  no  pro«« 
Dcct  of  release,  but  death,  to  wiiicli  we  were  constantly  ex- 
posed from  the  brutal  ignorance  and  savage  disposition  ol 
the  common  people,  who  in  the  various  councils  that  were 
held  this  season  to  determine  what  to  do  with  us,  in  case  of  the 
arrival  of  a  ship,  were  almost  always  for  putting  us  to  deathy 
expecting  by  that  means  to  conceal  the  murder  of  our  creW| 
and  to  throw  the  blame  of  it  on  some  other  tribe.  These  bar^ 
bnrous  sentiments,  were,  however,  uniformly  opposed  by  Ma- 
quina  and  his  chiefs,  who  would  not  consent  to  our  being  in- 
jured. 

The  Nootkians  in  their  conduct  towards  each  other,  are  in 
general  pacific  and  inoffensive,  and  appear  by  no  means  an  ill- 
tempered  race,  for  I  do  not  recollect  any  instance  of  a  violent 
quarrel  between  any  of  the  men,  or  the  men  and  their  wives, 
while  I  was  with  them,  that  of  Yealthlower  excepted.  But 
when  they  are  in  the  least  offended,  they  appear  to  be  in  the 
most  violent  rage,  acting  like  so  many  maniacs,  foaming  at  the 
mouth,  kicking  and  spitting  most  furiously;  but  this  is  rather 
a  fashion  with  them,  than  a  demonstration  of  malignity,  as 
in  their  public  speeches,  they  use  the  same  violence,  and  he  is 
esteemed  the  greatest  orator,  who  bawls  the  loudest,  stampSi 
.osses  himself  about,  foams  and  spits  the  most. 

In  speaking  of  their  regulations,  I  have  omitted  mentioning, 
that  on  attaining  the  age  of  seventeen,  the  eldest  son  of  a 
chief,  is  considered  as  a  chief  himself,  and  that  whenever  the 
father  makes  a  present,  it  is  always  done  in  the  name  of  his 
son,  or  if  he  has  none,  in  that  of  his  daughter.  The  chiefs 
frequently  purchase  their  wives  at  the  age  of  eight  or  ten,  to 
prevent  their  being  engaged  by  others,  though  they  do  not  take 
them  from  their  parents  until  they  arc  sixteen. , 

With  regard  to  climate,  the  greater  part  of  the  spring,  sum- 
mer, and  autumn,  is  very  pleasant,  the  weather  being  at  no 
time  oppressively  hot,  and  the  winters  uncommonly  mild,  for  so 
high  a  latitude,  at  leojst  as  far  as  my  experience  went.  At 
Tashees  and  Cooptee,  where  we  passed  the  coldest  part  of 
the  season,  the  winter  did  not  set  in  till  late  in  December,  nor 
have  I  ever  known  the  ice,  even  on  the  fresh  water  ponds 
more  than  two  or  three  inches  in  thickness,  or  a  snow  exceed 
ing  four  inches  in  depth,  but  what  is  wanting  in  snow,  is  am- 
ply made  up  in  rain,  as  I  have  frequently  known  it  during  the 
winter  months,  rain  almost  incessantly  for  five  or  six  days  in 
succession. 

It  WM  «ow  past  mid-sunimer,  ani  the  hopes  we  had  in* 


/ 


^^mmmmm 


NAAmATlVB    OF    JOHN    R.     JIWITT 


tvi 


iulfled  of  our  releve,  became  daily  more  faint,  for  thoufh  w« 
hacT  heard  of  no  less  than  seven  vosnels  on  the  coast,  yet  none 
appeared  inclined  to  venture  to  Nootka.  The  destruction  of 
the  Boston,  the  largest,  strongest,  and  best  equipped  ship,  with 
much  the  most  valuable  cargo  of  any  that  hud  ever  been  fit- 
ted out  for  the  North-West  trade,  had  inspired  the  comman- 
ders of  others  with  a  general  dreadof  coming  thither,  lest  they 
'  should  share  the  same  fate;  and  though  in  the  letter  I  wrote 
(imploring  those  who  should  receive  them,  to  come  to  Ihe 
relief  of  two  unfortunate  Christians  who  were  suffering  among 
heathen)  I  stated  the  cause  of  the  Boston's  capture,  and  that 
there  was  not  the  least  danger  in  coming  to  Nootka,  oroviued 
they  would  follow  the  directions  I  laid  down,  still  I  felt  very 
little  encouragement,  that  any  of  these  letters  would  come  to 
hand,  when  on  the  morning  of  the  nineteenth  of  July,  a  day 
that  will  be  ever  held  by  me  in  grateful  remembrance,  of  the 
mercies  of  God,  while  I  was  employed  with  Thompson  in  for- 

?;ing  daggers  for  the  king,  my  ears  were  saluted  with  the  joy- 
ill  sound  of  three  cannon,  and  the  cries  of  the  inhabitants, 
exclaiming,  Weena,  Weena — Mamethlee — that  is,  strangers 
— white  men. 

Soon  after  several  of  our  people,  came  running  into  the 
house,  to  inform  me  that  a  vessel  under  full  sail  was  coming 
into  the  harbour.  Though  my  heart  bounded  with  joy,  I  re- 
pressed my  feelings,  and  affecting  to  pay  no  attention  to  what 
was  said,  told  Thompson  to  be  on  his  guard,  and  not  betray 
any  joy,  as  our  release,  and  perhaps  our  lives,  depended  on 
our  conducting  ourselves  so  as  to  induce  the  natives  to  sup- 
pose we  were  not  very  anxious  to  leave  them.  We  continued 
our  work  as  if  nothing  had  happened,  when  in  a  few  minutes 
after,  Maquina  came  in,  and  seeing  us  at  work,  appeared 
much  surprised,  and  asked  me  if  I  did  not  know  that  a  vessel 
had  come.  I  answered  in  a  careless  manner,  that  it  was 
nothing  tome.  How,  John, y 3u  no  glad  go  board.  I  replied 
that  I  cired  very  little  about  it,  as  I  had  become  reconciled 
'to  their  manner  of  living,  and  had  no  wish  to  go  away.  He 
then  toid  me,  that  he  had  called  a  council  of  his  people  res- 
pecting us,  and  w^e  must  leave  off  work  and  be  present  at  it. 

The  men  having  assembled  at  Maquina's  house,  he  asked 
them  what  was  their  opinion  should  be  done  with  Thompson 
«nd  myself  now  a  vessel  had  arrived,  and  whether  he  had  not 
better  go  on  board  himself,  to  make  a  trade,  and  procure  such 
articles  as  were  wanted.     Each  one  of  the  tribe  who  wUhed. 

Some  were  for  puttins  ui  to  death.  «i« 


•  ^'1 


gATe  nil  opinion. 


ipsp 


"ip.l  ip ) 


f^sisr 


NikSSATIVI  Oa'  JOHN  R.  JBWITT. 


{>retending  to  the  strangeu,  that  a  different  nation  had  cut  off 
<he  Boston,  while  others,  less  barbarous,  were  for  sending  us 
fifteen  or  twenty  miles  back  into  the  country  until  the  depar- 
ture of  the  vessel.  These,  however,  were  the  sentiments  of  thf^ 
common  people,  the  chiefs  opposing  our  being  put  to  death,  or 
injured,  and  several  of  them,  among  the  niobt  forward  of  whom 
were  Yealthlower  and  the  young  chief,  T  >owinnakinnish,  were 
for  immediately  releasing  us;  but  this,  if  he  could  avoid  it,  by 
no  means  appeared  to  accord  with  Maquina's  wishes 

Having  mentioned  Toowinnakinnish,  i  shall  briefly  observe, 
that  he  was  a  young  man  of  about  twenty-three  years  old,  the 
only  son  of  Toopeeshottee,  the  oldest  and  most  respected 
chief  of  the  tribe.  His  son  had  always  been  remarkably  kind 
and  friendly  to  me,  and  I  had  in  leturn  frequently  made  for 
him  daggers,  cheetoolths,  and  other  things,  in  my  best  man- 
ner He  was  one  of  the  handsomest  men  among  them,  very 
amiable,  and  much  milder  in  his  manners  than  any  of  the  oth- 
ers, as  well  as  neater  both  in  his  person  and  house,  at  least  his 
apartment,  without  even  excepting  Maquina. 

With  regard,  however,  co  JVlaquina's  going  on  board  the 
vessel,  which  he  discovered  a  p*rong  inclination  to  do,  there 
was  but  one  opinion,  all  remonstrating  against  it,  telling  him 
that  the  captain  would  kill  him  or  keep  him  a  prisoner,  in  con- 
sequence of  his  having  destroyed  our  ship.  When  Maquina 
had  heard  their  opinions,  he  told  them  that  he  was  not  afraid 
of  being  hurt  from  going  on  board  the  vessel,  but  that  he 
would,  however,  -n  that  respect,  be  guided  by  John,  whom  he 
had  always  found  true.  He  then  turned  to  me,  and  asked  me 
if  I  thought  there  would  be  any  danger  in  his  going  on  board. 
I  answered,  that  I  was  not  surprised  at  the  advice  his  people 
had  given  him,  unacquainted  as  they  were  wit'»  the  mannei  of 
the  white  men,  and  judging  them  by  their  own,  but  if  they  had 
been  with  them  as  much  as  I  had,  or  even  himself,  they  would 
think  very  different.  That  he  had  a)mcit  always  experienced 
good  and  civil  treatment  from  them,  nor  had  he  any  reason  to 
tear  the  contrary  now,  as  thr^y  never  nttemj  ted  to  harm  those 
who  did  not  injure  th^i-m,  and  if  he  wished  to  go  on  board,  he 
might  do  iij  in  my  opinion,  with  security. — After  reflecting  a 
few  moments,  he  sa\d  with  much  apparent  satisfaction,  that  if 
I  would  write  a  letter  to  the  captain,  tolling  him  good  of  him, 
that  he  had  treated  Thompson  and  myse.'f  kindly  since  we  had 
been  with  him,  and  to  use  him  well,  he  would  go.  It  may 
readily  Le  supposed  that  I  felt  much  joy  at  this  determination, 
but  knowing  that  the  Isaf^c  incaution  might  annihilato  all  wy 


1 


I 


«■! 


HASAATlTl  Of  JOBM   R.  JftWItT. 


tts 


' 


hopes  of  escape,  I  was  careful  not  to  manifest  it,  and  to  treiA 
his  ffoing  or  staying  as  a  matter  perfectly  indifferent  to  om. 
I  told  him  that  if  he  wished  me  to  write  such  a  letter,  I  had  no 
objection,  as  it  was  the  truth,  otherwise  I  could  not  hav* 
done  it. 

I  then  proceeded  to  write  the  recommendatory  letter,  which 
the  reader  will  naturally  imagine  w&a  of  a  somewhat  difierent 
tenor  from  the  one  he  had  required;  for  if  deception  is  in  any 
case  war  antable,  it  was  certainly  so  in  a  situation  like  ours, 
where  the  only  chance  of  regaining  that  freedom  of  which  we 
had  been  so  unjustly  deprived,  depended  upon  it;  and  I  trust 
that  few,  even  of  the  most  rigid,  will  condemn  mc  with  sever- 
ity for  making  use  of  it,  on  an  occasion  which  afforded  me  the 
only  hope  of  everi^'tre  beholding  a  Christian  country,  and 
preserving  myself  if  not  fro  ~  death,  at  least  from  a  life  of  con<> 
rinued  suffering. 

The  letter  which  I  wrote,  was  nearly  in  the  following 
terms  : — 

Nootka,  July  19, 180C. 

To  Captain ,  of  the  Brig 

Sir, — The  bearer  of  this  letter  is  the  Indian  king  by  the 
name  of  Maquina.  He  was  the.  instigator  of  the  capture  of 
the  ship  Boston,  of  Boston  in  North  America,  John  Salter 
captain,  and  of  the  murder  of  twenty-five  men  of  her  crew, 
the  only  two  sarvivors  being  now  on  shore — Wherefore  I  hope 
you  will  take  care  '.o  confine  him  according  to  nis  merits,  put- 
ting in  your  read  lights,  and  keeping  so  good  a  watch  over 
him,  that  he  cannot  escape  from  you.  Ky  so  doing,  we  shall 
be  able  to  obtain  our  release  in  the  course  of  a  few  hours. 

-  _  JOHN  R.  JEWITT, 

Jirmourer  of  the  Botton,  for  hinuelf  and 

JOHN  THOMPSON, 

8aii  Maker  of  $cid  8Mp. 

I  havf  been  asked  how  !  dared  to  write  in  this  manner:  my 
answer  is,  that  from  my  long  residence  among  these  people.  I 
knew  that  1  had  little  to  apprehend  ^rom  their  anger  on  hear- 
ing of  their  king  being  confined,  while  they  knew  his  fife  de- 
pended upon  my  release,  and  th^t  they  would  sooner  have 
given  up  five  hundred  white  men,  (ban  have  had  h'm  injured 
This  will  serve  to  explain  the  little  apprehension  1  felt  at 
their  menaces  afterwards,  for  oth'irwise,  sweet  as  liberty  wm 
to  one,  I  should  hardly  have  ventured  on  so  hazardo>i8  u 
fxperiment. 

TO*.  I.  !*• 


mmm 


r-^Vt.-j '  ■ 


tV4 


VABBATITB   OF  JOHN  E.  HWITT. 


Mi 


On  my  giving  the  letter  to  Maquina,  he  asked  me  to  ezplaii 
St  to  him.  This  I  did  line  by  line,  as  he  pointed  thera  out  with 
Mb  finger,  but  in  a  sense  very  different  from  the  real,  giving 
aim  to  understand  that  I  had  written  to  the  captain,  that  ai 
he  had  been  kind  to  me  since  I  hud  been  taken  by  him,  that 
it  was  my  wish  thaf  the  captain  should  treat  him  accordingly, 
and  give  him  what  molasses,  biscuit  and  rum  he  wanted. 
When  I  had  finished,  placing  his  finger  in  a  significant  man- 
nei  on  my  name  at  the  bottom,  and  eyeing  me  with  a  look  that 
seemed  to  read  my  inmost  thoughts,  he  said  to  me, — "  John, 
you  no  lie  ?'*  Never  did  I  undergo  such  a  scrutiny,  or  evir 
experience  greater  apprehensions  than  I  felt  at  that  moment, 
when  my  destiny  was  suspended  on  the  slightest  thread,  and 
the  least  mark  of  embarrassment  on  mine,  or  suspicion  of 
treachery  on  his  part,  would  probably  have  rendered  my  life 
the  sacrifice.  Fortunately  I  was  able  to  preserve  my  com- 
posure, and  my  being  painted  in  the  Indian  manner,  which 
Maquina  had  since  my  marriage  required  of  me,  prevented 
any  change  in  my  countenance  from  being  noticed,  and  I  re- 
plied with  considerable  ftromptitude,  looking  at  him  in  my 
turn,  v;ith  all  the  confidence  I  could  muster,  '*  Why  do  you 
aak  me  such  a  question,  Tyce  ?  have  you  ever  known  me  to 
lie?"  "No."  "Then  how  can  you  suppose  I  should  tell 
yoiu  a  lie  now,  since  I  hf.ve  never  done  it."  As  I  was  speak- 
mg,  he  still  continued  looking  at  me  with  the  same  piercing 
eye,  but  observing  notliing  to  excite  his  suspicion,  he  told 
me  that  he  believed  what  I  said  was*  true,  and  that  he  would 
go  on  board,  and  gave  orders  to  get  ready  his  canoe.  Hii 
chiefs  agam  attempted  to  dissuade  him,  using  every  argument 
for  that  purpose,  while  his  wives  crowded  around  him,  beg- 
ging him  on  their  knees,  not  to  trust  himself  with  the  white 
men.  Fortunately  for  my  companion  and  myself,  so  strong 
was  his  wish  of  going  on  board  the  vessel,  titv.  he  was  deaf  to 
their  solicitations,  and  making  no  other  reply  to  them,  than, 
"John  no  lie,"  left  the  house,  taking  four  prime  skins  witli 
him  as  a  present  to  the  captain. 

Scarcely  had  the  canoe  put  off,  when  he  ordered  his  men 
to  stop,  and  calling  to  me,  asked  me  if  I  did  not  want  to  ffo 
on  board  with  him.  Suspecting  this  as  a  question  merely  m- 
tended  to  .  nsnare  me,  I  replied  that  I  had  no  wish  to  do  it| 
not  having  any  desire  to  leave  them. 

On  going  on  board  the  brig,  Manuina  immediately  gave  hit 
present  of  skins  and  my  letter  to  the  captain,  who  on  reading 
Uf  aahed  him  into  the  cabin,  where  he  gave  him  some  biM'ir 


■ 


mmmmmm 


HAmftATITV   OF  JOHN 


riWITT. 


fTi 


,. 


and  a  glasa  of  rum,  at  the  same  time,  priTately  directiag  hia 
mate  to  go  forward,  and  reiurn  with  nve  or  six  of  the  mes 
armed.  VVhen  they  appeared,  the  captsin  told  Maquina  that 
he  was  his  prisoner,  and  should  continue  so,  until  the  two 
men,  whom  he  knew  to  bo  on  shore,  were  released,  si  the 
same  time  ordering  him  to  be  put  in  irons,  and  the  windowa 
secured,  which  was  instantly  done,  and  a  couple  of  men  pla- 
ced as  a  guard  over  him.  Maquina  was  greatly  slurprised  and 
terrified  at  the  reception  ;  he  however  made  no  attempt  to 
resist,  but  he  requested^  the  captam  to  permit  one  of  his  men 
to  come  and  see  him.  One  of  them  was  accordingly  called, 
and  MaqutP  *  said  something  to  him  which  the  captain  did  not 
understand  hut  supposed  to  he  an  order  to  relea^ie  us,  when  the 
man  returning  to  the  canoe,  it  was  paddled  off  with  the  utmost 
expedition  to  the  shore.  As  the  canoe  approached,  the  inhabi- 
tants, who  nad  all  collected  upon  the  beach,  manifested  some 
uneasiness  at  not  seeing  their  king  on  board,  but  when  on  ita 
arrival,  they  were  told  that  the  captain  had  made  him  a 
prisoner,  and  that  John  had  spoke  bad  about  him  in  the  letter, 
they  all  both  men  and  women,  set  up  a  loud  howl,  and  ran 
backwards  and  forwards  upon  the  shore  like  so  many  lunatica, 
scratching  their  faces,  and  tearing  the  hair  in  handfuls  froia 
their  heads. 

After  they  had  beat  about  in  this  manner  for  some  time,  the 
men  ran  into  their  huts  for  their  weapons,  as  if  preparing  to 
attack  fin  invading  enemy  ;  while  Maquina^s  wives  and  the 
rest  of  the  women,  came  around  me,  and  throwing  themselvea 
on  their  knees,  begged  me  with  tears  to  spare  his  life,  and 
Sat-sat-sak-sis,  who  kept  constantly  with  me,  taking  rne  by 
the  hand,  wept  bitterly,  and  joined  his  entreaties  to  theirs,  that 
I  would  not  let  the  white  men  kill  his  father.  T  told  them 
not  to  afnict  themselves,  that  Maquina's  life  was  in  no  danger, 
nor  would  the  least  harm  be  done  to  him. 

The  men  were  however,  extremely  exasperated  with  me, 
more  particularly  the  common  people,  who  came  running  in 
the  most  urious  manner  towards  me,  brandishing  their  wea- 
pons, end  hreatening  to  cut  me  in  pieces  no  bigger  than  their 
thumb  naiis,  while  others  declared  they  would  burn  me  alive 
over  a  slow  fire,  suspended  by  my  heels.  All  this  fury,  how- 
ever, caused  me  but  little  alarm,  as  I  felt  convinced  they 
would  not  dare  to  execute  their  threats  while  the  king  was  on 
lidurd  the  bvig.  The  chiefs  took  no  part  in  this  violent  con- 
duct, but  came  to  mc,  and  enquired  the  reason  why  Maquina 
bad  been  thus  treated,  and  if  the  captain  intended  to  kill  him 


wiffwpinffifffyww" 


mm 


!FiPf  IC»"  I  ' 


tt6 


•TAiiiAtiTi  ot  JOHN  ft.  Jiwirr. 


I  told  them  that  if  they  would  eilence  the  people,  so  that  1 
could  be  heard,  I  would  explain  all  to  them.  They  immedi- 
ately put  a  stop  to  the  noise,  when  I  informed  them  that  th« 
captain  in  confining  Maquina,  had  done  it  of  his  own  accord, 
and  only  in  order  to  make  them  release  Thompson  and  my- 
self, as  he  well  knew  we  were  with  them,  and  if  they  would 
do  that,  their  king  would  receive  no  injury,  but  be  well  treat* 
ed,  otherwise  he  would  be  kept  a  prisoner  As  many  of  thrm 
did  not  appear  to  be  satisfied  with  this,  and  began  to  repeat 
their  murderous  threats — Kill  me,  said  I  to  them,  if  it  is  your 
wish,  throwing  open  the  bear  skin  which  I  wore,  here  is  my 
breast,  I  am  only  one  among  so  many,  and  can  make  no  re- 
sistance*  but  unless  you  wish  to  see  your  king  hanging  by  his 
neck. to  that  pole,  pointing  to  the  yard  arm  of  the  brig,  and 
the  sailors  firing  at  him  with  bullets,  you  will  not  do  it.  O  no, 
was  the  general  cry,  that  must  never  be  ;  but  what  must  we 
do  ?  I  told  them  that  their  best  plan  would  be,  to  send  Thomp- 
son on  board,  to  desire  the  captain  to  use  Maquina  well  till  I 
was  released,  which  would  b  «  soon.  This  they  were  perfectly 
willing  to  do,  and  I  directed/  Thompson  to  go  on  board.  But 
ae  objected,  saying  that  he  would  not  leave  me  alone  with  the 
savages.  I  told  him  nol  to  be  under  any  fear  for  me,  for  that 
if  I  could  get  him  off,  I  could  mantige  well  enough  for  myself, 
and  that  I  wished  him  inimediately  on  getting  on  board  the  briff 
to  see  the  captain  and  request  him  to  keep  Maquina  close  tiH 
I  was  released,  as  I  was  in  no  danger  while  he  had  him  safe. 

When  I  saw  Thompson  off,  I  asked  the  natives  what  they 
intended  to  do  with  me .  They  said  I  must  talk  to  the  captain 
again  in  another  letter,  and  tell  him  to  let  his  boat  come  oo 
shore  with  Maquina,  and  that  I  should  be  ready  to  jump  into 
the  boat  at  the  same  time  Maquina  should  jump  on  shore.  I 
told  them  that  the  captain,  who  knew  that  they  had  killed  my 
shipmates,  would  never  trui>t  hi^  men  so  near  the  shore  for 
fear  they  would  kill  them  too,  as  they  were  so  much  more 
numerous,  but  that  if  they  would  select  any  three  of  their 
number  to  go  with  me  ui  a  canoe,  when  we  came  within  hail, 
I  could  desire  the  captain  to  send  his  boat  with  Maquina,  to 
receive  me  in  exchange  for  him. 

This  appeared  to  please  them,  and  after  some  whispering 
among  the  chiefs,  who  from  what  words  I  overheard,  cor.otud- 
ed  that  if  the  captain  should  refuse  to  send  his  boat  with  Ma- 
quina, the  three  men  would  have  no  difhculty  in  bringing  me 
back  with  them,  they  agreed  to  my  proposal,  and  selected 
three  of  tstair  stoutest  mon  to  convey  me.     Fortunately  F;t\Tiiig 


SWiJf  »,'"*•'- 


<^mm 


NARRATIVE   OF  JOHN   ft     JEWITT. 


fW 


oeen  for  some  time  accustomed  to  see  me  arnied,  and  rasped- 
ing  no  design  on  my  part,  they  paid  no  attention  to  the  putolf 
jhat  I  had  about  me. 

As  1  was  going  into  the  canoe,  little  Sat-sat-sak-sis,  who 
could  not  bear  to  part  with  mo,  asked  me,  with  an  affecting 
simplicity,  since  I  was  going  away  to  leave  him,  if  the  white 
men  would  not  let  his  father  come  on  shore,  and  not  kill  him. 
I  told  him  not  to  be  concerned,  for  that  no  one  should  injure  hif 
father,  when  taking  an  affectionate  leave  of  me,  and  again  beg- 
ging me  not  to  let  the  white  men  hurt  his  father,  he  ran  to 
comfort  his  mother,  who  was  at  a  little  distance,  with  the  as- 
surances I  had  given  him 

On  entering  the  canoe,  1  seated  myself  in  the  prow  facing 
the  three  men,  having  determined  if  it  was  practicable,  from 
the  moment  I  found  Maquina  was  secured,  to  get  on  board 
the  vessel  before  he  was  released,  hoping  by  that  means,  to 
be  enabled  to  obtain  the  restoration  of  what  property  belong- 
ing to  the  Boston,  still  remained  in  the  possession  of  the  sav- 
ages, which  I  thought,  if  it  could  be  done,  a  duty  that  I  owed 
to  the  owners.  With  feelings  of  joy  impossible  to  be  describ- 
ed, did  I  quit  this  savage  shore,  confident  now  that  nothing 
could  thwart  my  escape,  or  prevent  the  execution  of  the  plan 
I  had  formed,  as  the  men  appointed  to  convey  and  guard  me, 
were  armed  with  nothing  but  their  paddles.  As  we  came 
within  hail  of  Hie  brig,  they  at  once  ceased  paddling,  when 
presenting  my  pistols  at  them,  I  ordered  them  instantly  to  go 
on,  or  I  would  shoot  the  whole  of  them.  A  proceeding  so 
wholly  unexpected,  threw  them  into  great  consternation,  and 
resuming  their  paddles,  in  a  few  moments,  to  my  inexpressible 
delight,  I  onct!  more  found  myself  along  side  of  a  Christian 
ship,  a  happiness  which  I  had  almost  despaired  of  ever  again 
enjoying  All  the  crew  crowded  to  the  side  to  see  me  as  the 
canoe  came  up,  and  manifesttd  much  joy  at  my  safety.  I  im- 
mediately leaped  on  board,  where  I  was  welcomed  by  the 
captain,  Samuel  Hill,  of  the  brig  Lydia  of  Boston,  who  con- 
gratulated me  on  my  escape,  informing  ma  that  he  had  receiv- 
ed my  letter  on  Kla-iz-zaat,  from  the  chief  Mackec  f  Jlatilla, 
who  came  ofT  himseli'  in  his  canoe,  to  deliver  lit  to  him,  o| 
which  he  immediately  proceeded  hither  to  pad  me.  I  return, 
ed  hiin  my  iihanks  in  the  best  manner  I  could  for  his  huraunity, 
though  I  hardly  knew  what  I  said,  such  was  the  agitated  state 
of  my  feelin^Tg  at  that  moment,  with  joy  for  my  escape,  thank- 
fulness to  the  Supreme  Being  who  had  so  nercifdlly  preserved 
moi  and  gratitude  to  those  whom  be  had  rendered  instruaieDt«L 


'm^rmgfgf^nww 


tl% 


NAftftATITB  Of  JOHN   B*.   /■W«TT. 


in  my  delivery,  that  I  have  no  doubt,  that  what  with  my  atrangc 
dresa,  being  painted  with  red  and  black  from  head  to  foot, 
having  a  bear  si<in  wrapped  around  me,  and  my  long  hair, 
which  I  was  not  allowed  to  cut,  fastened  on  the  top  of  my  hetd 
in  a  largo  bunch,  with  a  sprig  of  green  spruce,  I  must  have 
appeared  more  like  one  deranged  than  a  rational  creature,  as 
Capt.  Hill  aAerwards  told  me,  that  he  never  saw  any  thing  in 
the  form  of  man,  look  so  wild  as  I  did  when  I  first  came  on 
board.  ' 

The  captain  then  asked  me  into  the  cabin,  where  I  found 
Maquina  m  irons,  with  a  guard  over  him.  He  looked  very 
melancholy,  but  on  setting  me  his  countenance  brightened  up, 
and  he  expressed  his  pleasure  with  the  welcome  of  Wocash 
John  ;"  when  taking  him  by  the  hand,  I  asked  the  captain^i 
permission  to  take  off  his  irons,  assuring  him  that  as  I  was 
with  him,  there  was  no  danger  of  his  being  in  the  least  trouble- 
some. He  accordingly  consented,  and  I  felt  a  sincere  plea- 
sure in  freeing  from  fetters,  a  man,  who,  though  he  had  caus- 
ed the  death  of  my  poor  comrades,  had  nevertheless,  always 
proved  my  friend  and  protector,  and  whom  I  had  requested  to 
be  thus  treated,  only  with  a  view  of  securing  rny  liberty.  Ma- 
quina smiled  and  appeared  much  pleased  at  this  mark  of  atten- 
tion from  me.  When  I  had  freed  the  king  from  his  irons,  Capt. 
Hill  wished  to  learn  the  particulars  of  our  capture,  observing 
that  an  account  of  the  destruction  of  the  ship  and  her  crew 
had  been  received  at  Boston  before  he  sailed,  but  that  nothing 
more  was  known,  except  that  two  of  the  men  were  hvinc,  for 
whose  rescue  the  owners  had  offered  a  liberal  reward,  and  that 
he  had  been  able  to  get  nothing  out  of  the  old  man,  whom  the 
sailors  had  supplied  so  plentifully  with  grog,  as  to  b*'*r.)g  him 
too  much  by  the  head  tn  give  any  information. 

I  gave  him  a  correct  statement  of  the  whole  procer^ding,  to- 
gether with  the  manner  in  which  my  life  and  that  of  my  com 
rade  had  been  preserved.      On  hearing  my   story,  he   was 

freatly  irritated  against  Maquina,  said  he  ought  to  be  killed, 
observed  that  however  ill  he  might  have  acted  intakins^  our 
ship,  yet  that  it  would,  perhaps,  be  wrong  to  judge  an  <jnin- 
formed  savage  with  the  same  severity  as  a  civilized  person, 
who  had  the  light  of  religion  and  the  laws  of  society  to  guide 
him.  That  Mnquina's  oonducf  in  taking  our  ship,  arose  from 
an  insult  that  he  thought  he  had  received  from  Capt.  Saher, 
and  from  the  unjustifiable  conduct  of  some  masters  of  vessels, 
who  had  robbed  him,  and  without  provocation,  killed  a  number 
<^hli  people.     Besides  that,  a  regard  for  the  safety  of  othera 


KAftBATITl  OV  JOHH   E.  JBWITT. 


fy» 


•light  to  prevent  his  being  put  to  death,  a?  I  had  lived  long 
enough  with  these  people  to  know  that  revenge  for  an  injury, 
18  held  sacred  by  them,  and  that  they  would  not  fail  to  retaJ 
iate,  should  he  kill  their  king,  on  the  first  vessel  or  boat^s  crew 
that  should  give  them  an  opportunity ;  and  that,  though  he  might 
consider  executing  him  as  but  an  act  of  justice,  it  would  pro- 
bably cost  the  lives  of  many  Americans. 

The  captain  appeared  to  be  convinced  from  what  I  said,  of 
the  impolicy  of  taking  Maquina's  life,  and  said  that  he  wo  aid 
leave  it  wholly  with  me  whether  to  spare  or  kill  him,  as  he  waa 
resolved  to  incur  no  censure  in  either  case.  I  replied  that  I 
uost  certainly  should  never  take  the  life  of  a  man  who  had  pre- 
served mine,  had  I  no  other  reason,  but  as  there  was  some  of 
the  Boston's  property  still  remaining  oti  shore.  !  considered  it 
a  duty  that  I  owed  to  those  who  were  interested  in  that  ship, 
to  try  to  save  it  for  them,  and  with  thct  view  I  thought  it  would 
be  well  to  keep  him  on  board  till  i^  v/as  given  up.  He  con- 
curred in  this  proposal,  saying  if  there  was  any  of  the  property 
left,  it  most  certainly  ought  to  be  got. 

During  this  conversation  Maquina  was  in  great  anxiety,  ai 
from  what  English  he  knew  he  perfectly  comprehended  the 
subject  of  our  deliberation  ;  constantly  interrupting  me  to  in- 
quire what  we  had  determined  to  do  with  him,  what  the  cap- 
tain said,  if  his  life  would  be  spared,  and  if  I  did  not  think  that 
Thompson  would  kill  him.  I  pacified  him  as  well  as  I  was 
able,  by  telling  him  that  he  had  nothing  to  fear  from  the  cap- 
tain, that  he  would  not  be  hurt,  and  that  if  Thompson  wished 
to  kill  him,  which  was  probable,  ho  would  not  be  allowed  to 
do  it.  He  would  then  remind  me  that  I  was  indebted  to  him 
for  my  life,  and  that  I  ought  to  do  by  him,  as  he  had  done  by 
me.  I  assured  him  that  such  was  my  intention,  and  I  request- 
ed him  to  remain  quiet,  and  not  alarm  himself,  as  no  harm 
was  intended  him.  But  I  found  it  extremely  difficult  to  con- 
vince him  of  this,  as  it  accorded  so  little  with  the  ideas  of  re- 
venge entertained  by  them.  I  told  him  however,  that  he  must 
restore  all  the  property  still  in  his  possession,  belonging  to  the 
thip.  This  he  was  perfectly  ready  to  do,  happy  to  escape  on 
such  terms.  Bui  as  it  was  now  past  five,  and  too  late  for  the 
articles  to  be  collected,  and  brought  off,  I  told  him  that  he 
must  content  himself  to  remain  on  board  with  me  that  night, 
and  in  the  morning  he  should  be  set  on  shore  as  soon  as  the 
things  were  delivered.  To  this  he  agreed,  on  condition  that 
I  would  remain  with  him  in  tne  cabin.  I  then  went  upon 
d«ok,  and  the  canoe  that  brought  me  having  been  si^fit  baeky 


t$0 


HAEBATITI  OF  JOU    R.   iBWITT. 


t 


I  hailed  the  inhabitants,  and  told  tnem  that  their  kinff  had 
agreed  to  stay  on  board  ^'11  the  next  day,  when  he  would  re- 
turn, but  that  no  canoes  must  attempt  to  come  near  the  vessel 
during  the  night,  as  they  would  be  fired  upon.  They  answer- 
ed, Woho,  woho — very  well,  very  well.  I  then  returned  to 
Maquina,  but  so  great  were  his  terrors,  that  he  would  not  al- 
low me  to  sleep,  constantly  disturbing  me  with  his  questions, 
and  repeating,  **  John,  you  know  when  you  was  alone,  and 
more  than  five  hundred  men  were  your  enemies,  I  was  your 
friend,  and  prevented  them  from  putting  you  and  Thompson 
to  death,  and  now  I  am  in  the  power  of  your  friends,  you 
ought  to  do  the  same  by  me."  I  assured  him  that  he  would 
be  detained  on  board  no  longer  than  the  property  was  releas- 
ed, and  that  as  soon  as  it  was  done,  he  would  be  set  at 
liberty. 

At  day  break  I  hailed  the  natives,  and  told  them  that  it  was 
Maquina's  order  that  they  should  bring  off  the  cannon,  and 
anchors,  and  whatever  remained  with  them  of  the  cargo  of  the 
ship.  This  they  set  about  doing  with  the  utmost  expedition, 
transporting  tbe  cannon  and  anchors  by  lashing  together  two 
of  their  largest  canoes,  and  covering  them  with  planks,  and 
in  the  course  of  two  hours,  they  delivered  every  thing  on 
board  that  I  could  recollect,  with  Thompson's  and  my  chest, 
containing  the  papers  of  the  ship,  &.c. 

When  every  thing  belonging  to  the  ship  had  been  restored, 
Maquina  was  permitted  to  return  in  his  canoe,  which  had  been 
sent  for  him,  with  a  present  of  what  skins  he  had  collected, 
which  were  about  sixty,  for  the  captain  in  acknowledgment 
of  his  having  spared  his  life  and  allowed  him  to  depart  unhurt; 
such  was  also  the  transport  he  felt  when  captain  Hill  came 
into  the  cabin,  and  told  him  that  he  was  at  liberty  to  go,  that 
he  threw  otf  his  mantle,  which  consisted  of  four  of  the  very 
best  skins,  and  gave  it  to  him  as  a  mark  of  his  gratitude,  in  re- 
turn for  which,  the  captain  presented  him  with  a  new  great  coat 
and  hat,  with  which  he  appeared  much  delighted.  The  cap- 
tain then  desired  me  to  inform  him  that  he  should  return  to  that 
part  of  the  coast  in  November,  and  that  he  wished  him  to 
keep  what  skirs  he  should  get,  which  he  would  buy  of  him. 
This  Maquina  promised,  saying  to  me  at  the  same  time, 
*  John,  you  know  I  shall  be  then  at  Tashees,  but  when  you 
come  make  pow,  which  means,  fire  a  gun  to  let  me  know, 
and  f  will  come  down."  When  ne  came  to  the  side  of  the 
brig,  he  shook  me  cordially  by  the  hand,  and  told  me  that  he 
oped  I  would  come  to  see  him  again  in  a  big  ship,  and  bring 


wmmmn 


HAEBATITB  OF  JOHIT  B.  JBWlTT. 


M 


mach  plenty  of  blanketS)  biscuit^  molasset  and  lum,  for  hini 
mnd  his  son  who  loved  me  a  great  deal,  and  that  he  would 
keep  all  the  furs  he  got  for  ine,  observing  at  the  same  time 
that  he  should  never  moro  take  a  letter  of  recommendation 
from  any  one,  or  ever  trust  himself  on  board  a  vessel  unless  I 
was  there.  Then  erasping  both  my  hands  with  much  emotion, 
while  the  tears  triclcled  down  his  cheeks,  he  bade  me  farewell, 
and  stepped  into  the  canoe,  which  immediately  paddled  him  oA 
■ho re. 

Notwithstanding  my  joy  at  my  deliverance,  and  the  pleasing 
anticipation  I  felt  of  once  more  beholding  a  civilized  country, 
and  again  being  permitted  to  offer  up  my  devotions  in  a  Chris- 
tian church,  I  could  not  avoid  experiencing  a  painful  sensation 
on  parting  with  this  savage  chief,  who  had  preserved  my  life, 
and  in  general  treated  me  with  kindness,  and  considering  their 
ideas  and  manners,  much  better  than  could  have  been  ex- 
pected. 

My  pleasure  was  greatiy  damped  by  an  unfurtunate  acci- 
dent that  occurred  to  Toowinnakinnish.  That  interesting 
young  chief  had  come  on  board  in  the  first  canoe  in  the  morn- 
ing, anxious  to  see  and  comfort  his  king.  He  was  received 
with  much  kindness  by  captain  Hill,  from  the  favourable  ac- 
count I  gave  of  him,  and  invited  to  remain  on  board.  Aa  the 
muskets  were  delivered,  he  was  in  the  cabin  with  Maquina, 
where  was  also  the  captain,  who  on  receiving  them,  snapped  a 
number  in  order  to  try  the  locks;  unluckily  one  of  them  hap- 
pened to  be  loaded  with  swan  shot,  and  going  off,  discharged 
its  contents  into  the  bo^y  of  poor  Toowinnakinnish,  who  was 
sitting  opposite.  On  hearing  the  report,  I  instantly  ran  into 
the  cabin,  where  I  found  him  weltering  in  his  blood,  with  the 
captain  who  was  greatly  shocked  at  the  accident,  endeavour- 
ing to  assist  him.  We  raised  him  up,  and  did  every  thing  in 
our  power  to  aid  and  comfort  him,  telling  him  that  we  felt 
much  grieved  at  his  misfortune,  and  that  it  was  wholly  unin- 
tentional, this  he  told  me  he  was  perfectly  satisfied  of,  and 
while  we  dressed  and  bound  up  his  wounds  in  the  best  manner 
we  could,  he  bore  the  pain  with  great  calmness,  and  bidding 
me  farewell,  was  put  on  board  one  of  the  canoes,  and  taken 
on  shore,  where  after  languishing  a  few  days,  he  expired. 
To  me,  his  misfortune  was  a  source  of  much  affliction,  aa  he 
had  no  share  in  the  massacre  of  our  crew,  was  of  a  most  amia- 
ble character,  and  had  always  treated  me  with  tbo  greategl 
kindnets  and  hospitality. 


NASmATIVB  or  JOHH  E.  JIWITT. 


The  Brig  being  under  weigh,  immediately  3n  Maquinft't 
quitting  us,  we  proceeded  to  the  northward)  constantly  keep- 
ing the  shore  in  sight,  and  touching  at  various  places  for  the 
purpose  of  trading. 

Having  already  exceeded  the  bounds  I  had  prescribed 
myself,  I  shall  not  attempt  any  account  of  our  voyage  upon 
the  coast,  or  a  description  of  the  various  nations  we  mei  with 
in  the  course  of  it,  among  whom  were  a  people  of  a  ver)  sin- 
gular appearance,  called  by  the  sailors  the  Wooden-lips. 
They  have  many  skins,  and  the  trade  is  principally  managed 
by  their  women,  who  are  not  only  expert  in  making  a  bargain, 
but  are  as  dexterous  in  the  management  of  their  canoes,  as  the 
men  are  elsewhere. 

Altera  period  of  nearly  four  months  from  our  leaving  Noot- 
ka,  we  returned  from  the  northward  to  Columbia  river,  for  the 
purpose  of  procuring'  masts,  8cc.  for  our  brig,  which  had  suf- 
fered considerably  in  her  spars  during  a  gale  of  wind.  We 
proceeded  about  ten  miles  up  the  river,  to  a  small  Indian  vil- 
lage,  where  we  heard  from  the  inhabitants,  that  Captains 
Clark  and  Lewis,  from  the  United  States  of  America,  had 
been  there  about  a  fortnight  before,  on  their  journey  over-land, 
and  had  left  several  medals  with  them,  which  they  shewed  us. 
The  river  at  this  place  is  of  considerable  breadth,  and  both 
fides  of  it  from  its  entrance,  covered  with  forests  of  the  very 
finest  pine  timber,  fir  and  spruce,  interspersed  with  Indian 
settlements.  Here  after  providing  ourselves  with  spars,  we 
sailed  for  Nootka,  where  we  arrived  in  the  latter  part  of  No- 
vember The  tribe  being  absent,  the  agreed  signal  was  giv- 
en, by  firing  a  cannon,  and  in  a  few  hour?  after,  a  canoe  ap- 
peared, which  landed  at  the  village,  and  putting  the  king  on 
shore,  came  off  to  the  brig. — Enquiry  was  immediateiy  made 
by  Kinneclimmets,  who  was  one  of  the  three  men  in  the  ca- 
noe, if  John  was  there,  as  the  king  had  some  skins  to  sell 
them  if  he  was.  I  then  went  forward  and  invited  them  on 
board,  with  which  they  readily  complied,  telling  me  that  Ma- 
quina  had  a  number  of  skins  with  him,  but  that  he  would  not 
come  on  board  unless  I  would  go  on  shore.  This  I  agreed  to, 
provided  they  would  remain  in  the  brig  in  the  mean  time 
To  this  they  consented,  and  the  captain  taking  them  into  the 
cabin,  treated  them  with  bread  and  molasses.  I  then  went  on 
■here  in  the  canoe,  notwithstanding  the  remonstrances  of 
Thompson  and  the  captain,  who,  though  he  wanted  the  skins, 
adYised  me  by  no  means  to  put  myself  in  MaquinaV  powers 
but  I  assured  him  that  I  had  no  fear  as  long  a«  thoie 


HAmEATira  of  jobji  a.  jiwitt 


irere  on  board.  Ai  1  landed,  Maquina  came  up  and  wel- 
comed me  with  much  joy :  on  enquiring  for  the  men,  I  told 
him  that  they  were  to  remain  till  my  return.  *^  Ah,  John,'* 
■aid  he,  ^*  I  see  you  are  afraid  to  trust  me,  but  if  they  had 
eome  with  you,  1  should  not  have  hurt  you,  though  I  should 
have  taken  good  care  not  to  let  you  go  on  board  of  another 
retael."  He  then  took  his  chest  of  skins,  and  stepping  mto 
the  canoe,  I  paddled  him  along-side  the  brig,  where  he  wai 
received  and  treated  by  captain  Hill  with  the  greatest  cordi- 
ality, who  bought  of  him  his  skins.  He  left  us  much  pleased 
with  his  reception,  enquiring  of  me  how  many  moons  it  would 
be  before  I  should  come  back  again  to  see  him  and  his  son, 
who  had  begged  him  hard  to  let  him  come  with  him  to  see  me, 
saying,  that  he  would  keep  ail  his  furs  for  me,  and  that  as  soon 
as  my  son,  who  was  then  about  five  months  old,  was  of  a  suit- 
able age  to  take  from  his  mother,  he  would  send  for  him,  and 
take  care  of  him  as  his  own. 

As  soon  as  Maquina  had  quitted  us,  we  got  under  weigh, 
and  stood  again  to  the  northward.  We  continued  on  the  coast 
until  the  eleventh  of  August,  1806,  when  having  completed 
our  trade,  we  sailed  for  China,  to  the  great  joy  of  all  our  crew, 
an(*  particularly  so  to  me.  With  a  degree  of  satisfaction  that 
I  can  ill  express,  did  I  quit  a  coast  to  which  I  was  resolved 
nothing  should  again  tempt  me  to  return,  and  as  the  tops  of 
the  mountains  sunk  in  the  blue  waves  of  ocean,  I  seemed  to 
feel  my  heart  lightened  of  an  oppressive  load. 

We  had  a  prosperous  passage  to  China,  arriving  at  Macao 
in   December,  from  whence  the    brig    proceeded  to  Canton  • 
There  I  had  the  good  fortune  to  meet  a  townsman  and  an  ac- 

Suaintance,  in  the  mate  of  an  English  East-Indiaman,  named 
ohn  Hill,  whose  father,  a  wealthy  merchant  in  Hull,  in  the 
Baltic  trade,  was  a  next  door  neighbour  to  mine.  Shortly  af- 
ter our  arrival,  the  captain  being  on  board  of  the  English  ship, 
and  mentioning  his  having  had  the  good  fortune  to  liberate  two 
aien  of  the  Boston's  crew  from  the  savages,  and  that  one  of 
them  was  named  Jewitt,  my  former  acquaintance  immediately 
came  on  board  the  brig  to  see  me. 

Words  can  ill  express  my  feelings  on  seeing  him.  Circum- 
ttanced  as  I  was,  among  persons  who  were  entire  strangers  to 
me,  to  w.:^et  thus  in  a  foreign  land,  with  one  between  whom 
and  n  ysciu  a  considerable  intimacy  had  subsisted,  was  a 
pleasui"  thf^tythose  alone  who  have  been  in  a  like  situation  c&a 
properly  e^iiroate.  He  appeared  on  his  part,  no  less  happy 
lo  Me  me,  whom  he  supposed  to  be  dead,  as  the  account  • 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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WEBSVER.N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


tM 


ITAmmATITI   OP  JOHN    ft.    JBWlTff. 


our  capture  bad  been  received  in  England,  sometime  be(br« 
his  sailing,  and  all  my  friends  suppoHed  me  to  have  been  mur- 
dered. From  this  young  man,  I  received  every  attention  and 
aid,  that  a  feeling  heart,  interested  in  the  fate  of  another,  could 
confer.  He  supplied  me  with  a  new  suit  of  clothes,  and  a 
hat,  a  small  sum  of  money  for  my  necessary  expenses,  and  a 
number  of  little  articles  for  sea-stores  on  my  voyage  to  Amer- 
ica. I  also  gave  him  a  letter  for  my  father,  in  which  I  men* 
tioned  my  wonderful  preservation,  and  escape,  through  the 
humanity  of  captain  Hill,  with  whom  1  should  return  to  Boston. 
This  letter  he  enclosed  to  his  father,  by  a  ship  that  was  just 
sailing,  in  consequence  of  which,  it  was  received  much  earlier 
than  it  otherwise  would  have  been 

W'  'eft  China  in  February,  1807,  and  after  a  pleasant  voy 
age  of  one  hundred   and  fourteen  days,  arrived   at  Bostoc 


Arrival  of  the  brig  Lydia  at  Boston. 

My  feelings  on  once  more  ftnding  myself  in  a  Christian  coun- 
try, among  a  people  speaking  the  same  language  with  myself, 
may  be  more  readily  conceived  than  expressed.  In  the  Post- 
Office  in  that  place,  I  found  a  letter  for  me,  from  my  mother, 
acknowledging  the  receipt  of  mine  from  China,  expressing  the 
great  joy  of  my  family  on  hearing  of  my  being  alive  and  well, 
whom  they  had  a  long  time  given  up  for  dead,  and  requesting 
me  to  write  to  them  on  receiving  her  letter,  which  1  according- 
ly did.  While,  in  Boston,  I  was  treated  with  much  kindness 
and  hospitality  by  the  owners  of  the  ship  Boston,  Messrs. 
Francis  and  Thomas  Amory  of  that  placj,to  whom  1  feel  my- 
self under  great  obligations  for  their  kindness  to  me,  and  th« 
anistance  which  they  so  readily  afibrded  a  stranger  in  di» 


i   ttOlfUT  TEICE 


.^'  ■. 


A  MONKEY  TRICK 


In  1818,  a  vessel  thai  sailed  Itetween  WhitehRveij  and  Ja- 
maica embarked  on  her  homeward  voyage,  and  among  other 
passengers,  carried  a  female,  who  had  at  the  breast  a  child 
only  a  few  weeks  old.  One  beautiful  afternoon,  the  captain 
perceived  a  distant  sail,  and  afler  he  had  gratified  his  curios- 
ity, he  politely  offered  his  glass  to  his  passenger,  that  she 
might  obtain  a  clear  view  of  the  object.  Mrs,  B.  had  the  baby 
in  her  arms  ;  she  wrapped  her  shawl  about  the  little  innocent, 
and  placed  it  on  a  sofa  upon  which  she  had  been  sitting. 
Scarcely  had  she  applied  her  eye  to  the  glass,  when  the  helms- 
man exclaimed,  "  Good  God  !  see  what  the  mischievous  mon- 
key  has  done.'  The  reader  may  judge  of  the  female's  feel- 
ings, when,  on  turning  round,  she  beheld  the  animal  in  the 
act  of  transporting  her  child  apparently  to  the  very  top  of 
the  mast  !  The  monkey  was  a  very  large  one,  and  so  strong 
and  active,  that  while  it  grasped  the  infant  firmly  with  the  one 
arm,  it  climbed  the  shrouds  nimbly  by  the  other,  totally  unem- 
barrassed by  the  weight  of  its  burden.  One  look  was  suffi- 
cient for  the  terrified  mother,  and  that  look  had  well  nigh 
been  her  last,  and  had  it  not  been  for  the  assistance  of  those 
around  her,  she  would  have  fallen  prostrate  on  the  deck, 
where  she  was  soon  aflerwards  stretched  apparently  a  lifeless 
corpse.  The  sailors  could  climb  as  well  as  the  monkey,  but 
the  latter  watched  their  motions  narrowly;  and  as  it  ascended 
higher  up  the  mast  the  moment  they  attempted  to  put  a  foot 
on  the  shrouds,  the  captain  became  afraid  that  it  would  drop 
the  child,  and  endeavored  to  escape  by  leaping  from  one  mast 
to  another.  In  the  meantime  the  little  innocent  was  heard  to 
cry  ;  and  though  many  thought  it  was  suffering  pain,  their 
fears  on  this  point  was  speedily  dissipated  when  they  observed 
the  monkey  mitating  exactly  the  motions  of  a  nurse,  by  dand- 
ling, soothing,  and  caressing  its  charge,  and  even  endeavor- 
ing to  hush  it  asleep.  From  deck  the  lady  was  conveyed  into 
the  cabin,  and  gradually  restored  to  her  senses.  In  the  mean- 
time, the  captain  ordered  every  man  to  conceal  himself  below, 
and  quietly  took  his  own  station  on  the  cabin  stair,  where  he 
could  see  all  that  passed  without  being  seen.  This  plan  hap- 
pily succeeded  ;  the  monkey,  on  perceiving  that  the  coast 
wu  clear,  cautiously  descended  from  his  loUy  perch,  and  re> 


iJf    4^. 


186 


TMB   ■DDTBTONB    LIGHT   ■•!»• 


placed  the  infant  on  the  sofa,  cold,  fretful.  anM  pwrhapi  frichir 
ened,  but  in  every  other  respect  as  free  from  harm  as  wnea 
he  took  it  up  The  humane  searr.an  had  now  a  most  arateful 
(ask  to  perform  ;  the  babe  was  restored  to  its  mother^  arms 
amidst  tears,  and  thanks,  and  blessings. 


THE  EDDYSTONE  LIGHT  HOUSE. 

This  most  celebrated  light-house  is  built  on  the  Eddystone 
rocks.  These  are  situated  nearly  south-south-west  from  the 
middle  of  Plymouth  sound,  England,  according  to  the  true 
meridian.  The  distance  from  the  port  of  Plymouth  is  nearly 
fourteen  miles ;  and  from  the  promontory  called  Ramhead, 
about  ten  miles.  They  are  almost  in  the  line,  but  somewhat 
within  it,  which  joins  the  Start  and  the  Lizard  points  ;  and  as 
they  lie  nearly  in  the  direction  of  vessels  coasting  up  and  down 
the  channel,  they  were  necessarily,  before  the  establishment 
of  light-houses,  very  dangerous,  andoRen  fatal  to  ships  under 
such  circumstances.  Their  situation,  likewise,  with  regard 
to  the  Bay  of  Biscay,  and  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  is  such,  that 


rhea 
teful 
roui 


MIMi 


stone 
1  the 

true 
early 
lead, 
what 
nd  as 
down 
iment 
mder 
sgard 

that 


TBB   IDDTSTONI    LIGHT   HOUSB 


flfT 


they  lie  open  to  the  swells  of  the  bay  and  ocean  from  all  south* 
western  points  of  the  compass,  which  swells  are  generally  al- 
lowed by  mariners  to  be  very  great  and  heavy  in  those  seas, 
and  particularly  in  the  Bay  of  Biscay.  It  is  to  be  observed 
that  the  soundings  of  the  sea  from  the  south-westward,  towards 
the  Eddystone,  are  from  eighty  fathomG  to  forty,  and  every 
where  till  you  come  near  the  Ec'.dystone,  the  sea  is  full  thirty 
fathoms  in  depth  ;  so  that  all  ^he  heavy  seas  from  the  south- 
wet3t  come  uncontrolled  upon  tlie  Eddystone  rocks,  and  break 
:n  then   with  the  utmost  fury. 

The  brce  and  height  of  these  seas  is  increased  by  the 
circumstance  of  the  rocks  stretching  across  the  channel, 
in  a  north  and  south  direction,  to  the  length  of  above  one 
hundred  fathoms,  and  by  their  lying  in  a  sloping  manner 
towards  the  south-west  quarter.  This  striving  of  the  rocksj 
as  it  is  technically  called,  does  not  cease  at  low  water,  but  still 
goes  on  progressively  ;  so  that,  at  fifty  fathoms  westward, 
'here  are  twelve  fathoms  water,  nor  do  they  terminate  alto- 
gether at  the  distance  of  a  mile.  From  this  configuration  it 
happens,  that  the  seas  are  swelled  to  such  a  degree  in  storms 
ana  hard  gales  of  wind,  as  to  break  on  the  rocks  with  the  ut- 
most violence. 

The  effect  of  this  slope  is  likewise  sensibly  felt  in  moderate, 
and  even  in  calm  weather,  for  the  liberation  of  the  water, 
caused  in  the  Bay  of  Biscay  in  hard  gales,  at  south-west^  con- 
tinues in  those  deep  waters  for  many  days,  though  succeeded 
by  a  calm  ;  insomuch,  that  when  the  sea  is  to  all  appearance 
smooth  and  even,  and  its  surface  unruffled  by  the  slightest 
breeze,  yet  those  liberations  still  continuing,  which  are  called 
the  ground  swell,  and  meeting  the  slope  of  the  rocks,  the  sea 
breaks  upon  them  in  a  frightful  manner  so  as  not  only  to  ob- 
struct any  work  being  done  upon  the  rock,  but  even  the  landing 
upon  it,  when,  figuratively  speaking,  you  might  go  to  sea  in  a 
walnut-sheU.  A  circumstance  which  still  further  increases 
the  difficulty  of  working  on  the  rocks  is,  there  being  a  sudden 
drop  of  the  surface  of  the  rock,  forming  a  step  of  about  four 
and  a  half,  or  five  feet  high,  so  that  the  seaH,  which  in  mode- 
rate weather  come  swelling  to  this  part,  meet  so  sudden  a 
check,  that  they  frequently  fly  to  the  heigh';  of  thirty  or  forty 
feet. 

Notwithstanding  these  difficulties,  it  is  not  surprisin|^  that 
the  dangers  to  which  navigators  were  expcjed  by  the  Eddy- 
atone  rocks,  should  make  a  commercial  nation  desirous  of 
bftving  a  light-house  on  them     The  wonder  is,  that  any  on* 


..V 


l\- 


998 


THB  IDDTtTONB   LIGHT   HOVtI. 


■hould  be  iound   hardy    enough  tu  undertake  the  building 
Such  a  man  was  firdt  found  in  the  person  of  Henry  Wiuitanly,  (x 
Littlebury,  in  Essex,  gent,  who,  in  tlie  year  1696,  was  furnish 
ed  by  the  master,  wardens  and  assistants,  of  the  Trinity-house^ 
of  Deptford  Strond,  with  the   necessary  powers  to  carry  the 
design  into  execution      He  entered  upon  this  undertaking  in 
<  1696,  and  completed  it  in  four  years.     This  gentleman  was  so 
certain  of  the  stability  of  his  structure,  that  he  declared  it  to 
be  his  wish  to  be  in  it  ^^  during  the  greatest  storm  that  ever  . 
blew  under  the  face  ofthe  heavens." 

Mr.  Winstanly  was  but  too  amply  gratified  in  his  wish,  for 
while  he  was  there  with  his  workmen  and  light-keepers,  that 
dreadful  storm  began,  which  raged  most  violently  on  the  26th 
of  November,  1703,  in  the  night ;  and  of  all  the  accounts  of 
the  kind  which  history  furnishes  us  with,  we  have  none  that 
has  exceeded  this  in  Great  Britain,  or  was  more  injurious  or 
extensive  in  its  devastation.  The  next  morning,  November 
S7th,  when  the  violence  of  the  storm  was  so  much  abated  that 
it  could  be  seen  whether  the  light-house  had  suffered  by  it, 
nothing  appeared  standing  ;  but,  upon  a  nearer  inspection, 
some  of  the  large  irons  by  which  the  work  was  fixed  upon  the 
rock  still  remained  ;  nor  were  any  of  the  people,  or  any  of  the 
materials  of  the  building,  ever  found  afterwards. 

In  1709,  another  light-house  was  built  of  wood,  on  a  very 
different  construction,  by  Mr.  John  Rudyerd,  then  a  silk  mer- 
cer on  Ludgate-hill.  This  was  a  very  ingenious  structure  j 
after  it  had  braved  the  elements  for  forty-six  years,  it  was 
burnt  to  the  ground  in  1755.  On  the  destruction  of  this  light- 
house, that  excellent  mechanic  and  engineer  Mr.  Smeaton, 
was  chosen  as  the  fittest  person  to  build  another.  It  was  with 
some  difficulty  that  he  was  able  to  persuade  the  proprietors, 
that  a  stone  building,  properly  constructed,  would  in  all  re- 
spects be  preferable  to  one  of  wood  ;  but  having  at  last  con- 
vinced them,  he  turned  his  thoughts  to  the  shape  which  was 
most  suitable  to  a  building  so  critically  situated.  Reflecting 
on  the  structure  of  the  former  buildings,  it  seemed  a  material 
fmprovement  to  procure,  if  possible,  an  enlargement  of  the 
base,  without  increasing  the  size  of  the  waist,  or  that  part  of 
the  building  which  is  between  the  top  of  the  rock,  and  the  top 
of  the  solid  work.  Hence  he  thought  a  greater  degree  of 
strength  and  stiffness  would  be  gained,  accompanied  with  less 
resistance  to  the  acting  power.  On  this  occasion,  the  natural 
figure  of  the  waist,  or  bole,  of  a  large  spreading  oak,  occurred 
to  Mr.  Smeaton.     "  Let  us  (saya  be)  consider  itf  partieulai 


l\    i\ 


nra  lODTITONB   LIOMT  MOVII. 


isf 


figure.  Connected  with  its  roots,  which  lie  hid  below  ground, 
t  rises  from  the  surface  with  a  large  swelling  base,  wnich  at 
.he  he'^ht  of  one  diameter  is  generally  reduceo  by  an  elegant 
curve,  concave  to  the  eye,  to  a  diameter  less  by  at  least  one 
third  and  sometimes  to  half  its  original  base.  From  thence,  its 
taper  diminishing  more  slowly,  ito  sides  by  degrees  come  into 
n  perpendicular,  and  for  some  height  form  a  cylinder.  After 
that,  a  preparation  of  more  circumference  becomes  necessary, 
for  the  strong  insertion  and  establishment  of  the  principal 
boughs,  which  produces  a  swelling  of  its  diameter.  Now  we 
can  hardly  doubt,  but  that  every  section  of  the  tree  is  nearly 
of  an  equal  strength  in  proportion  to  what  it  has  to  resist ;  and 
were  we  to  lop  off  i^s  principal  boughs,  and  expose  it  in  that 
■tate  to  a  rapid  current  of  water,  we  should  find  it  as  capable 
of  resisting  the  action  of  the  heavier  fluid,  when  divested  of 
the  greater  part  of  its  clothing,  as  it  was  that  of  the  lightc**, 
when  all  its  spreading  ornaments  were  exposed  to  the  fury  of 
the  wind  ;  and  hence  we  may  derive  an  idea  of  what  the  pro- 
per shape  of  a  column  of  the  greatest  stability  ought  to  be,  to 
resist  the  action  of  external  violence,  when  the  quantity  of 
matter  is  given  of  which  it  is  to  be  composed. 

With  these  views,  as  to  the  proper  form  of  the  superstruc- 
ture, Mr.  Smeaton  began  the  work  on  the  2d  of  April,  1757, 
•nd  finished  it  in  August  4th,  1759.  The  rock,  which  slopes 
toward!  the  south-west  is  cut  into  horizontal  steps,  into  which 
are  dovetailed,  and  united  by  a  strong  cement,  Portland  stone, 
and  granite.  The  whole,  to  the  height  of  thirty-five  feet  from 
the  foundation,  is  a  solid  ofstones,  ingrafted  in  each  other,  and 
united  by  every  means  of  additional  strength.  The  building 
has  four  rooms,  one  over  the  other,  and  at  the  top  a  gallery  and 
lantern.  The  stone  floors  are  flat  above,  but  concave  beneath, 
and  are  kept  from  pressing  against  the  sides  of  the  buildmg  by  a 
a  chain  let  into  the  walls.  It  is  nearly  eighty  feet  high,  and 
•ince  its  completion  has  beeii  assaulted  by  the  fury  of  the 
elements,  without  suffering  the  smallest  injury. 

We  regret  that  we  cannot  with  propriety  trace  out  the  pro- 
gress of  this  grea*  work,  and  shew  with  what  skill  and  judgment 
this  unparalleled  engineer  overcame  the  greatest  difficulties; 
we,  however,  beg  to  recommend  to  our  curious  readers,  Mr, 
Smeaton's  own  account  of  the  Eddystone  light-hojse,  not 
doubting  that  they  will  be  highly  gratified  by  the  perusal. 
According  to  the  requisite  tables,  this  light-house  is  situated 
in  lat.  50.  8.  N.,  long.  4.  24.  W.  of  Greenwich  ;  or  4.  18.  34 
"V.  of  London. 

I  Ml 


'  ^l/"^""***^ 


A   POLITI   HA    AOBBUl 


A  POLITE   SEA-ROBBER 

1^6  often  read  of  extremely  polite  and  gentlemanly  high 
iraynien,  who  rob  with  such  marvellous  courtesy  that  a  mat 
can  hardly  feel  it  in  his  heart  to  withhold  his  watch,  his  purse, 
or  aught  of  goods  and  chattels  that  he  may  chance  to  have 
about  him. — But  it  is  quite  otherwise  with  your  sea  robbeis, 
alias  pirateS)  who  are  represented  as  a  most  brutal  and  un- 
feeling set,  who  have  not  the  least  dash  of  politeness  about 
them,  to  redeem  their  character  from  unmitigated  odium. 
Such  being  their  general  reputation,  it  is  with  no  slight  feeling 
if  relief  that  we  read  the  account  of  so  polished  and  courteous 
a  villian  as  the  one  described  below.  It  is  extracted  from  the 
'*  Adventures  of  a  Wanderer."  He  had  shipped  at  New  Or- 
leans, on  board  the  Governor  Griswold,  bound  to  Havana  and 
Liverpool,  as  steward  : — 

We  got  (says  he)  under  way,  and  proceeded  down  the  river 
until  we  came  to  a  place  called  the  English  Turn,  when  a 
boat,  manned  by  twelve  or  fourteen  men,  came  off  from  shore, 
and  when  they  had  arrived  within  hail  they  called  to  us  and 
asked  if  we  wanted  a  pilot.  The  Captain  answered,  "No;" 
whereupon  the  man  in  the  stern  of  the  boat  ordered  one  of  tha 
men  to  throw  him  a  rope.  The  rope  was  handed  him,  and  it 
^eing  made  fast  to  the  boat,  he  came  alongside.  He  ascend- 
ed the  ladder,  and  came  on  board  with  all  his  men,  excepting 
four  who  remained  in  the  boat.  The  captain  of  these  despe* 
radoes  was  a  tall  man,  dark  complexioned,  and  terrible  in  a»- 
pect  His  eye  was  black  and  piercing,  his  nose  slightly  Ro- 
man, and  he  wore  a  huge  pair  of  sable  mustachios.  His  mec 
were  a  ferocious  looking  band,  hardy  and  sun  burnt.  He  sa- 
iuted  the  captair.  in  a  courteous  n;anner,  and  was  profuse  n 
conipliments. 

His  men,  who  wore  long  red  Indian  stockings,  red  caps, 
and  were  armed  with  pistols  and  knives;  sauntered  carelessly 
about  the  deck. 

The  pirate  captain  asked  our  captain  where  he  was  bound*, 
he  answered  correctly,  "To  Liverpool  via  Havana." 

Our  captain  then  cut  short  the  interrogation  of  the  pirate| 
bv  sayings  *^  I  know  your  business  " 


I 


Sfr 


I 


A  MLiti  tiA  Horam 


X 


caps, 
lessly 


,>>• 


l-'i:i  •v.^- 


The  pirate  then  turned  to  our  crew,  and  asked  them  whtt 
■ort  of  usage  they  had  received  since  they  had  left  Europe. 

"  Tolerable,"  they  replied,  "  but  very  little  grog,** 

The  pirate  then  called  for  the  steward.  I  made  my  appear- 
ance.    "  Have  you  plenty  of  grog  on  board?"  inquired  he 

I  replied  in  the  affirmative.  '*  Fill  up  that  bucket,"  said  he, 
"  and  carry  it  down  the  forecastle  for  /he  men  to  drink."  I 
look  up  the  bucket  at  which  he  pointed,  carried  'A  into  the  ca- 
bin, and  filled  it  with  liquor.  I  then  took  it  forward  to  the  fore- 
castle, where  the  men  received  it  and  conveyed  it  below. 

As  soon  as  the  crew  had  got  below,  and  were  assembled 
around  the  bucket,  the  pirate  placed  two  of  his  men  upon  the 
scuttle  to  prevent  any  of  the  crew  from  coming  on  deck,  while 
he  with  two  of  his  gang  stuck  close  to  the  captain  and  mate. 
— "  Now,  steward,"  said  t!ie  pirate,  '*  go  down  and  invite  all 
your  passengers  to  come  on  deck."  1  did  as  I  was  ordered. 
Our  passengers  were  a  lady  and  two  small  children,  and  a  gen- 
tleman who  had  been  engaged  in  teaching  a  school  in  New  Or- 
leans, but  having  received  a  letter  purporting  that  the  death  of 
a  near  relation  had  lefl  him  heir  to  a  large  fortune,  had  em- 
barked for  his  home,  which  was  London. 

These  persons  came  on  deck.  The  lady  was  much  frighten- 
ed, but  the  pirate  told  her  to  be  under  no  apprehension,  and 
soothed  her  with  language  which  would  not  have  disgraced 
the  court  of  Great  Britain.  The  pirate  now  gave  orders  to 
bring  up  the  gentleman's  trunk.  The  trunk  was  laid  at  hia 
foet. — "  Now"  said  he,  "  bring  up  all  the  captain  and  mate's 
property."     They  also  were  produced. 

He  then  proceeded  to  overhaul  the  captain's  trunk,  which 
contained  ^'  no  great  shakes." 

*  Captain,  you  have  a  very  poor  kit !'  said  ue,  with  a  scorn- 
ful smile. 

The  pirate  then  examined  the  passenger's  trunk.  It  con- 
tained about  four  hundred  and  forty  dollars  in  specie.  In 
rummaging  the  trunk,  the  pirate  fell  in  with  the  letter  con- 
taining the  information  with  respect  to  the  fortune  which  had 
fceein  e?.  the  passenger.  This  letter  the  pirate  read,  and  giv- 
ing e  signi6cant  glance  at  the  fortunate  man  whose  direction  it 
bore,  folded  it  up  carefully  and  laid  it  down. 

He 
had  paid 
much  does 


then  turned  to  the  captain,  and  asked  him  if  the  man 
his  passage.     *  No, 
s  passage  cost  ?'  inqu 
dred  and  twenty  dollars,' 
iBUAt  lose,'  said  tljie  pirate 


answered  the  captain^    *  How 
pirate. 


*  Two  hun- 


replied  the  captain       That  jom 


A   POLITB  SBA-EOBlim 


Then  tuininff  to  the  passenger — -  You/  raid  he,  <  1  wit 
treat  fairly!  You  will  want/  continued  the  pirate,  ^whei 
rou  arrive  at  Liverpool,  two  dollars  to  pay  the  porter  for  car- 
rying your  firunk/  he  laid  down  the  money;  ^your  passage  to 
London  will  cost  you  2£  lOs/  he  counted  it  out  ana  placed  it 
with  the  tw^o  dollars;  your  dinner  will  come  to  five  shillinea, 
and  you  may  want  £2  more  to  treat  some  of  youi  friends/ 
he  laid  down  the  money  with  the  rest, '  and  for  fear  that  will 
not  be  sufficient,  here  are  twenty  five  dollars  more/  He  then 
presented  the  amount  of  these  several  items  to  the  passenger, 
gave  the  remainder  to  one  of  his  gang,  and  told  him  to  pass 
it  into  the  boat  He  then  very  courteously  asked  the  time  of 
day.  The  captain  pulled  out  a  fine  watch,  and  answered  that 
it  was  half  past  three.  '  Your  watch  takes  my  fancy  mightily/ 
said  the  pirate,  and  taking  it  from  the  captain,  he  put  it  into 
his  fob  with  groat  nonchalance,  and  walked  away  to  the  fore- 
castle.  '  Come  up  here  two  of  you  who  are  sober,'  said  he 
Two  of  them  came  stumbling  up,  and  the  rest  came  reeling 
after. 

**  Qo  down  into  the  cabin,  and  bring  me  up  all  the  small 
arms  you  can  find,"  said  the  pirate.  The  two  first  sailori 
went  down,  and  soon  returned  with  an  old  fowling  piece  and 
a  pair  of  pistols. 

i'T^To"'/'  said  he,  turning  to  the  sailors,  "if  any  of  you, 
boys  'h  to  change  your  situation  for  better  pay  and  a  shor- 
ter pasbdge,  I  will  give  you  a  chance;  for  rent  I  am  after  and 
rent  I'll  have!  But  stop!''  cried  he,  '^this  lady  I  had  almost 
jtbrgotten;  come  here,  madam,  and  let  me  hear  a  little  of  your 
worldly  concerns." 

She  immediately  commenced  an  eloquent  harangue,  accom- 
panied with  tears.  She  had  gone  on  for  some  time  in  this 
manner,  when  the  pirate  immediately  cried,  "  Avast !  avast ! 
there,  that's  enough,  I'd  sooner  face  the  battery  of  a  ninety- 
eieht,  than  stem  the  storm  of  female  eloquence  !" 

He  then  ordered  some  brandy  for  himself  and  his  men. 

The  liquor  was  brought;  I  poured  out  a  glassful  for  him, 
when  he  said,  '^  Stop  !  captain  just  be  so  good  as  to  drink 
this  off  yourself !  after  you  is  manners.  I  don't  kno'v  what 
some  of  you  Yankee  inventors  may  have  put  into  this  liquor. 
You  may  have  thrown  an  onyx  into  the  cup.  The  captain 
drank  it  off  readily.  The  pirate  eyed  the  captain  closely  for 
a  few  moments,  and  then  said  to  his  followers.  Come,  my  boys, 
we  may  venture/'  and  the  decanter  was  soon  drained  of  its 
•OBteots.     The  pirate  then  pointed  to  the  maintop,  umI  re- 


•  f 


FOETT-rifl   OATI^  •UFFIllHCt 


J  vested  the  captain  to  t<tke  a  walk  up  that  way.  **  And  you, 
fr.  Mate,"  eaid  he,  '*  begin  to  travel  up  the  forerigginff. 
But  mind  !"  said  he,  "  atop  when  I  toll  you  I"  The  captain 
and  mate  had  proceeded  hail'  w  ay  up  tlte  lower  rigging,  when 
he  summoned  them  to  halt.  The  captain  was  about  stepping 
upon  the  next  rattling,  when  the  pirate  then  hailed  him — "  If 
you  stir  an  inch  backward  or  forward,"  said  he,  '^  you  will 
come  down  faster  than  you  went  up."  The  captain  looked 
down  and  saw  several  pistols  levelled  at  him,  ready  to  be  dis- 
charged on  the  instant.     He  then  remained  stationary. 

Then  the  pirate  taking  oflT  his  cap,  addressed  the  passengers. 
He  told  them  he  was  once  poor  himself,  and  therefore  knew 
how  to  sympathize  with  persons  in  distress.  He  hoped  they 
would  be  grateful  for  the  lenity  which  he  had  shown  them,  and 
then  wishing  them  a  pleasant  voyage,  he  stepped  over  the  side 
into  his  boat,  and  was  soon  lost  to  our  view  beneath  the  foliage 
ofthe  thick  underwood  which  lined  the  there  and  hung  over 
the  green  wave. 


^f-;- 


FORTYFIVE  DAYS'  SUFFERINGS. 


Jem* 

thif 

rast! 

lety- 


him, 
Irink 
iwhat 
(uor. 
^ptain 
ly  for 
Iboyi, 
of  iti 


Captain  David  Harrison,  who  commanded  a  sloop  of  New- 
Tork,  called  the  Peggy,  has  lefl  a  melancholy  narrative  of 
the  sufferings  of  himself  and  his  crew,  during  a  vcyage  from 
Fayal,  one  of  the  Azores,  in  1769.  A  storm  which  had  con- 
tinued for  some  days,  successively  l)lew  away  the  sails  and 
•hrouds;  and  on  the  1st  of  December,  one  shroud  on  a  side 
and  the  main  sail  alone  remained.  In  this  situation  they 
could  make  very  little  way,  and  all  their  provisions  weie  ex- 
hausted, except  bread,  of  which  but  a  small  quantity  was  left ; 
they  came  at  last  to  an  allowance  of  a  quarter  of  a  pound  % 
day,  with  a  quart  of  water  and  a  pint  of  wine,  for  each  man. 

The  ship  was  now  become  very  leaky;  the  waves  were 
■welled  into  mountains  by  the  storm,  and  the  thunder  roUe4 
iacifntly  over  their  heads  in  one  dreadful  almost  uniator- 


\ 


tM 


fommr-rivi  days'  surriBiifM 


■Bitting  peal.  In  this  friffhtful  dilemma,  either  of  sinking  with 
the  wreck,  or  floating  in  ner  and  perishing  with  hunger,  two 
vessels  came  in  sight;  but  such  was  the  tempest  that  neither 
could  approach,  and  they  saw  with  sensations  more  bitter  than 
death  itself,  the  vessels  that  would  willingly  have  relieved 
them  disappear.  The  allowance  of  bread  and  water,  though 
still  farther  contracted,  soon  exhausted  their  stores,  every  mor- 
sel of  food  was  finished,  and  only  about  two  gallons  of  water 
remained  in  the  bottom  of  the  cask.  The  poor  fellows  who, 
while  they  had  any  sustenance,  continued  obedient  to  the  cap« 
tain,  were  now  driven  by  desperation  to  excess;  they  seized 
upon  the  cargo,  and  because  wine  and  brandy  were  all  they 
had  lefl,  they  drank  of  both  till  the  frenzy  of  hunger  was  in- 
creas^ed  by  drunkenness,  and  curses  and  blasphemy  were 
blended  with  exclamations  of  distress.  The  dregs  of  the  wa- 
ter cask  were  abandoned  to  the  captain,  who,  abstaining  as 
much  as  possible  from  wine,  husbanded  them  with  the  great- 
est economy. 

In  the  midst  of  these  horrors,  this  complication  of  want  and 
excess,  of  distraction  and  despair,  they  espied  another  e^ail. 
Every  eye  was  instantly  turned  towards  it;  the  signal  of  dis- 
tress was  hung  out,  and  they  had  the  unspeakable  satisfaction 
of  being  near  enough  to  the  ship  to  communicate  their  situa- 
tion. Relief  was  promised  by  the  captain;  but  this,  alas  !  was 
but  ''the  mockery  of  wo;''  and  instead  of  sending  the  relief 
he  had  promised,  the  unfeeling  wretch  crowded  all  sail,  and 
lefl  the  distressed  crew  to  all  the  agony  of  despair  which  mis- 
ery and  disappointment  could  occasion. 

The  crew  once  more  deserted  and  cut  off  from  their  last 
hope,  were  still  prompted  by  an  intuitive  love  of  life  to  pre- 
serve it  as  long  as  possible.  The  only  living  creatures  on 
board  the  vessel,  besides  themselves,  were  two  pigeons  and  a 
cat.  The  pigeons  were  killed  immediately,  and  divided  among 
them  for  their  Christmas  dinner;  the  next  day  they  killed  the 
cat ;  and  as  there  were  nine  persons  to  partake  of  the  repast, 
they  divided  her  into  nine  parts,  which  they  disposed  of  by 
ot  The  head  fell  to  the  share  of  Captain  Harrison,  and  he 
declared  that  he  never  eat  any  thing  that  he  thought  so  deli- 
cious in  his  life. 

The  next  day  the  crew  began  to  »c  rape  the  ship's  bottom 
for  barnacles;  but  the  waves  had  beaten  off  those  above  water, 
■nd  the  men  were  too  weak  to  hang  long  over  the  ship's  aide. 
During  all  this  time,  the  poor  wretches  sought  only  to  forgei 
tkeir  miMry  in  intoxication;  and  while  they  were  eontinowlv 


f 


wH^i 


fOBTT   riTt   DAf'l   ■UFFIftlffO* 


)li. 


heating  wine  in  the  steerage,  the  captain  ftubsisted  upon  the 
dirty  water  at  the  bottom  of  the  cask,  half  a  pint  ot  which, 
with  a  few  drops  of  Turlington's  Balsam,  was  his  whole  sus- 
tenance for  twenty-four  hours. 

To  add  to  their  calamity,  they  had  neither  candle  nor  oil; 
and  they  were  in  consoijnonce  compelled  to  pass  sixteen  hours 
out  of  the  twenty-tour  in  total  darkness,  except  the  glimmer- 
ing  light  of  the  fire.  Still  however,  by  the  help  of  their  only 
sail  they  made  a  little  way;  but  on  the  !28th  of  December, 
another  storm  overtook  them,  which  blew  their  only  sail  to 
rags.  The  vessel  now  lay  like  a  wreck  on  the  water,  and  was 
wholly  at  the  mercy  of  the  winds  and  waves 

How  they  subsisted  from  this  time  to  the  13th  of  January, 
sixteen  days,  does  not  appear,  as  their  biscuit  had  been  long 
exhausted,  and  the  last  bit  of  animal  food  which  they  tasted, 
was  the  cat  on  the  26th  of  December  ;  yet  on  the  13th  o( 
January,  they  were  all  alive,  an'^  the  crew,  with  the  mate  at 
their  head,  came  to  the  captain  in  the  cabin,  half  drunk  in- 
deed, but  with  sufficient  sensibility  to  express  the  horror  of 
their  purpose  in  their  countenances.  They  said  they  could 
hold  out  no  longer,  their  tobacco  was  exhausted;  they  had 
eaten  up  all  the  leather  belonging  to  the  pump,  and  even  the 
buttons  from  their  jackets;  and  that  they  had  no  means  of 
preventing  their  perishing  together,  but  by  casting  lots  which 
of  them  should  be  sacrificed  for  the  sustenance  of  the  rest. 
The  Captain  endeavoured  to  divert  them  from  their  purpose 
until  the  next  day,  but  in  vain;  they  became  outrageous,  and 
with  execrations  of  peculiar  horror,  swore  that  what  was  to 
be  done,  must  be  done  immediately;  that  it  was  indifferent  to 
them  whether  he  acquiesced  or  dissented;  and  that  though 
they  had  paid  him  the  compliment  of  acquainting  him  with 
their  resolution,  yet  they  would  compel  him  to  take  his  chance 
with  the  rest,  for  general  misfortune  put  an  end  to  personal 
distinction. 

The  Captain  resisted,  but  in  vain;  the  men  retired  to  decide 
on  the  fate  of  some  victim,  and  in  a  few  minutes  returned, 
and  said  the  lot  had  fallen  on  a  negro,  who  was  part  of  the 
cargo.  The  poor  fellow  knowing  what  had  been  determined 
against  him,  and  seeing  one  of  the  crew  loading  a  pistol  to 
despatch  him,  implored  the  Captain  to  save  his  life;  but  he 
was  instantly  dragged  to  the  steerage,  and  shot  through  the 
head.  ^ 

Having  made  a  large  fire,  they  began  to  cut   the  negro  up/ 
almost  as  soon  as  he  was  dead,  intending  to  fry  his  entraib  " 


mmm* 


man 


t9fi 


fOtTf   FIT*  pat's   •UVVtRINO*. 


^ 


■upper;  but  James  Campbell  one  of  the  foremast  mer.,  being 
ravenously  impatient  for  food,  tore  the  liver  out  of  the  body, 
and  devoured  it  raw;  the  remainder  of  the  crew,  however, 
dressed  the  meat,  and  continued  their  dreadful  banquet  until 
two  o'clock  in  the  morning. 

The  next  day  the  crew  pickled  the  remainder  of  the  negro's 
body,  except  the  head  and  fingers,  which,  by  common  con- 
sent, they  threw  overboard.  The  captain  refused  to  taste  any 
part  of  it,  and  continued  to  subsist  on  the  dirty  water.  On 
the  third  day  after  the  death  of  the  negro,  Campbell,  who  had 
devoured  the  liver  raw^  died  raving  mad,  and  his  body  was 
thrown  overboard,  the  crew  dreading  the  consequences  of 
eating  it.  The  negro's  body  was  husbanded  with  rigid  econ 
omy,  and  lasted  the  crew,  now  consisting  of  six  persons,  i(rom 
the  13th  to  the  26th  of  January,  when  they  were  again  re- 
duced to  total  abstinence,  except  their  wine.  This  they  en- 
dured until  the  29th,  when  the  mate  came  again  to  the  captain 
at  the  head  of  the  men,  and  told  him  it  was  now  become 
necessary  that  they  should  cast  lots  a  second  time.  The  cap- 
tain endeavoured  to  reason  them  from  their  purpose,  but  with- 
out success;  and  therefore  considering  that  if  they  managed 
the  lot  without  him,  je  might  not  have  fair  play,  consented  to 
see  it  decided.  /^^ 

The  lot  now  fell  upon  David  Flat,  a  foremast  man.  The 
shock  of  the  decision  was  so  great,  that  the  whole  company 
remained  motionless  and  silent  for  some  time;  when  the  poor 
victim,  who  appeared  perfectly  resigned,  broke  silence,  and 
said,  ^'  My  dear  friends,  messmates,  and  fellow  sufferers,  all  I 
have  to  beg  of  you  is,  to  despatch  me  as  soon  as  you  did  the 
negro,  and  to  put  me  to  as  iittle  torture  as  possible.'*  Then 
turning  to  one  Doud,  the  man  who  shot  the  negro,  he  said, 
"  It  is  my  desire  that  you  should  shoot  me."  Doud  reluct- 
antly consented.  The  victim  begged  a  short  time  to  prepare 
himself  for  death,  to  which  his  companions  most  readily 
agreed.  Flat  was  much  respected  by  the  whole  ship's  compa- 
ny, and  during  this  awful  interval,  they  seemed  inclined  to 
save  his  life;  yet  finding  no  alternative  but  to  perish  with 
hiai,  and  having  in  some  measure  lulled  their  sense  of  honor 
at  tbe  approaching  scene  by  a  few  draughts  of  wine,  they  pre- 
pared for  the  execution,  and  a  fire  was  kindled  in  the  steer- 
age to  dress  their  first  meal  as  soon  as  their  companion  should 
become  their  food. 

As  the  dreadful  moment  approached,  their  compunction  in- 
•r^aaed,  and  friendship  and  humanity  at  length  triumphed  ovei 


. 


VORTT   fl?B   OAT  ■   tOVrBAKia* 


Wl 


hunger  and  death.  They  determined  that  Flat  should  life  tA 
least  until  eleven  o^clock  the  next  morning,  hoping,  as  thejr 
said  that  the  Divine  Goodness  would  in  the  mean  time  open 
some  other  source  of  relief.  At  the  same  time  they  begged 
the  captain  to  read  prayers;  a  task  which,  with  the  utmost  ei^ 
fort  of  his  collected  strength,  he  was  scarcely  able  to  perform. 
As  soon  as  prayers  were  over,  the  company  went  to  their  un- 
fortunate friend,  Flat,  and  with  great  earnestness  and  affection 
expressed  their  hopes  that  God  would  interpose  for  his  prcser- 
yation;  and  assuring  him,  that  though  they  never  yet  could 
csitch  or  even  see  a  fish,  yet  they  would  put  out  all  their 
hooks  again  to  try  if  any  relief  could  be  procured. 

Poor  Flat,  however,  could  derive  little  comfort  from  the 
concern  they  expressed;  and  it  is  not  improbable,  that  their 
friendship  and  affection  increased  the  agitation  of  his  mind; 
such,  however,  it  was,  that  he  could  not  sustain  it,  for  before 
midnight  he  grew  almost  totally  deaf,  and  by  four  o'clock  in 
the  morning  was  raving  mad.  His  messmates,  who  discov- 
ered the  alteration  debated  whether  it  would  be  an  act  of  hu- 
manity to  despatch  him  immediately;  but  the  first  resolution, 
of  sparing  him  till  eleven  o'clock  prevailed. 

About  eight  in  the  morning,  as  the  captain  was  ruminating 
in  his  cabin  on  the  fate  of  this  unhappy  wretch,  who  had  but 
three  hours  to  live,  two  of  his  people  came  hastily  down,  with 
uncommon  ardour  m  their  looks,  and  seizing  both  his  hands, 
fixed  their  eyes  upon  him  without  saying  a  word.  A  sail  had 
been  discovered,  and  the  sight  had  so  far  overcome  them,  thai 
they  were  for  some  time  unable  to  speak.  The  account  of  a 
vessel  being  in  sight  of  signals,  struck  the  captain  with  such 
excessive  and  tumultuous  joy,  that  he  was  very  near  expiring 
under  it.  As  soon  as  he  could  speak,  he  directed  every  pos- 
sible  signal  of  distress.  His  orders  were  obeyed  with  the  ut- 
most alacrity;  and  as  he  ]a.y  in  his  cabin,  he  had  the  inexpres- 
sible hcppiness  of  hearing  them  jumping  upon  deck,  and  cry<ng 
out,  ^^  She  nighs  us,  she  nighs  us!  she  i^  standing  this  way." 

The  approach  of  the  ship  being  more  and  more  manifest 
every  moment,  their  hopes  naturally  Increased,  and  they  pro- 
posed a  can  to  be  taken  immediately  for  joy.  The  captain 
dissuaded  them  all  from  it,  except  the  mate,  who  retired,  and 
drank  it  to  himself 

After  continuing  to  observe  the  progress  of  the  vessel  for 
some  hours,  with  all  the  tumult  and  agitation  of  mind  that 
■uch  a  suspense  could  not  fail  to  produce,  they  had  the  morti- 
fication to  find  the  gale  totally  die  away,  so  that  the  Teaaai 

VOL.   I  IS* 


»--■*  I  * 


V«ATT-»ITC   DlT^ft    BVWVEMittmB 


ITM  becalmed  at  only  two  miles  distance.  They  did  not^  how- 
ever, suffer  long  from  this  circumstance,  for  in  a  few  minuteji 
they  saw  a  boat  put  out  from  the  ship's  stern,  and  row  towards 
them  fully  manned,  and  with  vigorous  despatch.  As  they  had 
been  twice  before  confident  of  deliverance,  and  di^sappointed, 
and  as  they  still  considered  themselves  tottering  on  the  brink 
of  eternity,  the  conflict  between  their  hopes  and  fears,  during 
the  approach  of  the  boat,  was  dreadful.  At  length,  however, 
she  came  alongside;  but  the  appearance  of  the  crew  was  so 
ghastly,  that  the  men  rested  upon  their  oars,  and  with  looks 
of  inconceivable  astonishment  asked  what  they  were  ? 

Being  at  length  satisfied,  they  came  on  board,  ahd  begged 
the  people  to  use  the  utmost  expedition  in  quitting  the  wreck, 
lest  they  should  be  overtaken  by  a  gale  of  wind,  that  would 
prevent  their  getting  back  to  the  ship.  The  captain  being  un- 
able to  stir,  was  lifted  out  of  his  cabin,  and  lowered  into  the 
boat  with  ropes;  his  people  followed  him,  with  poor  Flat  still 
raving;  and  they  were  just  putting  off,  when  one  of  them  ob- 
served, that  the  mate  was  still  wanting.  He  was  immediately 
called  to,  and  the  can  of  joy  had  just  lefl  him  power  to  crawl 
to  the  gunnel,  with  a  look  of  idiotic  astonishment,  having^  to 
all  appearance  forgot  every  thing  that  had  happened.  The 
poor  drunken  creature  was  with  difficulty  got  into  the  boat, 
and  in  about  an  hour  they  all  reached  the  ship  in  safety, 
which  was  the  Susannah  of  London,  commanded  by  Captain 
Thomas  Evers.  He  received  them  with  the  greatest  tender- 
ness and  humanity,  and  promised  to  lay  by  the  wreck  until  the 
next  morning,  that  he  might,  if  possible,  save  some  of  Capt. 
Harrison's  property;  but  the  wind  blowing  very  hard  before 
night,  he  was  obliged  to  quit  her,  and  she  probably,  with  her 
cargo,  went  to  the  bottom  before  morning. 

The  crew  had  he«n  without  provisions  forty  five  days.  The 
mate,  James  .Doud,  who  shot  the  negro,  and  one  Warner, 
a  seaman,  died  on  the  passage.  The  remainder,  mcluding 
Flat,  who  continued  mad  during  the  voyage,  arrived  safe  in  the 
Susannah,  in  the  Downs,  in  the  beginning  of  March;  whence 
Captain  Harrison  proceeded  on  shore,  and  made  the  proper 
attestation  on  oath  of  the  facts  related  in  this  melancholy  nar^ 
rative.  ^  .  ^  ,^:  -.  - :'-  ,  ■,  .: 


'■*mimmjm»sm 


nn  PIRATB  •   TRBA&VIS. 


rv,  -  THE  PlRATE^S  TREASURE 

After  many  months  of  anxious  and  painful  expectancj^  1 
at  length  succeeded  in  obtaining  my  appointment  to  the  situa 
Uon  I  had  so  ardently  wished  for.  Despairing  at  my  apparent 
want  of  success,  I  had  given  up  all  hopes,  and  had  engaged  to 
go  servant  in  the  Clydesdale  to  the  East  Indies,  when  the  fa- 
vorabls  result  of  my  friend's  exertions  changed  the  aspect  of 
my  affairs.  My  instructions  set  forth  the  necessity  of  my  being 
at  Surinam  by  a  certain  day,  otherwise  I  should  he  too  late  to 
join  the  corps  to  which  I  was  appointed,  which,  on  the  ceding 
up  of  the  place  to  the  Dutch,  was  to  proceed  to  Canada.  As 
it  wanted  only  two  months  of  that  period,  it  became  necessary 
to  inquire  for  some  vessel  without  lose  of  time.  Giving  up  my 
engagement  with  the  Clydesdale,  I  proceeded  to  the  harbor, 
and  ader  a  toilsome  search,  succeeded  m  discovering  a  ship 
chartered  by  a  Glasgow  company  lying  ready  at  the  west  quay, 
and  to  sail  with  that  evening's  tide.  While  I  stood  examining 
the  vessel  from  the  pier,  two  sailors,  who  seemed  to  be  roam- 
ing idly  about,  stopped,  and  began  to  converse  by  my  side. 

**  Has  the  old  Dart  got  all  her  hands,  Tom  ! "  said  the  one, 
'*  that  she  has  her  ensign  up  lor  sailing  }  They  say  she  is  sold 
othe  lubberly  Dutchmen  now — what  cheer  to  lend  her  a  hand 
DUt,  and  get  our  sailing-penny  for  a  glass  of  grog  ?  "  "  J\o, 
ao ;  bad  cheer  !  '*  replied  the  other  ;  "  mayhap  1  didn't  tell 
you  that  I  made  a  trip  in  her  four  years  ago  ;  and  a  cleaner 
or  livelier  thing  is  not  on  the  water  !  But  there  is  a  limb  of 
the  big  devil  in  her  that  is  enough  to  cause  her  to  sink  to  the 
bottom.  It  was  in  our  voyage  out  that  he  did  for  Bill  Burnet 
with  the  pump  sounding-rod,  because  the  little  fellow  snivelled 
A  bit,  and  was  not  handy  to  jump  when  he  was  ordered  aloft  to 
•et  the  fore-royal.  It  was  his  first  voyage,  and  the  boy  was 
mortal  afraid  to  venture  ;  but  the  Captair  swore  he  would 
make  him,  and  in  his  passion  took  him  u  ra[  with  the  iron-rod, 
and  killed  him.  When  ho  saw  what  he  had  done,  he  lifted, 
and  hove  him  over  the  side  ;  and  niany  a  long  day  the  meia 
wondered  what  had  become;  of  little  Ei;l,  for  they  were  all 
below  at  dinner,  and  none  but  myself  saw  the  transaction.  It 
W9»  aeedleis  for  me  to  complain,  and  get  him  overhauled,  af 


SX) 


nn  piRATiS  TmBAsimi 


there  were  no  witnessos  ;  but  1  led  the  ship,  and  birtha  would 
be  Bcarce,  befbre  I  would  sail  with  him  again.'' 

Knowing  what  tyrants  shipmasters  are  in  general,  and  how 
much  their  passengers'  comfort  depends  on  them,  1  was  some- 
what startled  by  this  piece  of  information  respecting  the  temper 
of  the  man  I  proposed  to  sail  with.  But  necessity  has  no  law  ' 
The  circumstance  probably  was  much  misrepresented,  and, 
from  a  simple  act  of  discipline  exaggerated  to  an  act  of  wanton 
cruelty  But  be  that  as  it  might — my  affairs  were  urgent 
There  was  no  other  vessel  for  the  same  port — I  must  either 
take  my  passage,  or  run  the  risk  of  being  superseded.  The 
thing  was  not  to  be  thought  of;  so  I  went  and  secured  my 
birth.  As  my  preparations  were  few  and  trifling,  I  had  every 
thing  arranged,  and  on  board,  just  as  the  vessel  was  unmoor* 
ing  from  the  quay.  During  the  night  we  got  to  the  Clock 
liffht-housc,  and  stood  off  and  on,  waiting  for  the  Captain, 
who  had  remained  behind  to  get  the  ship  cleared  out  at  the 
Custom  house.  Soon  afterwards  he  joined  us,  and  the  pile' 
leaving  us  in  the  return-boat,  we  stood  down  the  Forth  undo 
all  our  canvass. 

For  four  weeks  we  had  a  quick  and  pleasant  passage.  The 
Dart  did  not  belie  her  name  ;  for,  being  American-built,  and 
originally  a  privateer,  she  sailed  uncommonly  fast,  generally 
running  at  the  rate  of  twelve  knots  an  hour. 

As  I  had  expected,  Capt.  Mahone  proved  to  be,  in  point  of 
acquirements,  not  at  all  above  the  common  run  of  shipmasters 
He  was  haughty  and  overbearing,  domineering  over  the  crew 
with  a  high  hand  ;  in  return  for  which,  he  was  evidently  fear- 
ed and  detested  by  them  all.  He  had  been  many  years  in  the 
West  Indies  ;  part  of  which  time  he  had  ranged  as  commander 
of  a  privateer,  and  had,  between  the  fervid  suns  of  such  high 
latitudes  and  the  copious  use  of  grog,  become  of  a  rich  ma- 
hogany color,  or  something  between  vermillion  and  the 
tint  of  a  sheet  of  new  copper.  He  was  a  middle-sized  man  j 
square  built,  with  a  powerful  muscular  frame.  His  aspect  na- 
turally harsh  and  forbidding,  was  rendered  more  so  by  the  sin- 
ister expresbion  of  his  lefl  eye,  which  had  been  nearly  forceo 
out  by  some  accident — and  the  lineaments  of  his  countenance 
eipressed  plainly  that  he  was  passionate  and  furious  in  the  ex- 
treme. In  consequence  of  this,  1  kept  rather  distant  and 
aloof ;  and  except  at  meals,  we  seldom  exchanged  more  than 
ordinary  civilities. 

By  our  reckoning,  our  ship  had  now  got  intc  the  latitude 
•f  the  Bermudas,  when  one  evening,  at  sun-set,  the  windi 


' 


THB   PIRATB'S   TRBAtnUt. 


which  had  hitherto  been  favorable,  fell  at  >nce  into  a  deai 
calm.  The  day  had  been  clear  and  bright ;  but  now,  huge 
masses  of  dark  and  conical-shaped  clouds  began  to  tower 
over  each  other  in  the  west^n  horizon,  which,  being  tinged 
with  the  rays  of  the  sun,  displayed  that  lurid  and  deep  brassy 
tint  so  well  known  to  mariners  as  the  token  of  an  approaching 
storm.  All  the  sailors  were  of  opinion  that  we  should  have  a 
course  night  ;  and  every  precaution  that  good  seamanship 
could  suggest  was  taken  to  make  the  vessel  snug  before  the 
gale  came  on.  The  oldest  boys  were  sent  up  to  hand  and 
send  down  the  royal  and  top-gallant  sails,  and  strike  the  mast, 
while  the  top-sails  and  stays  were  close-reefed.  These  pre- 
parations were  hardly  accomplished,  when  the  wind  shifted, 
and  took  us  a-back  with  such  violence  as  nearly  to  capsize  the 
vessel.  The  ship  was  put  round  as  soon  as  possible,  and 
brought  to  till  the  gale  should  fall ;  while  all  hands  remained 
on  deck  in  case  of  any  emergency.  About  ten,  in  the  interval 
"«,  squall,  we  heard  a  gun  fired  as  a  signal  of  distress.  The 
ir.ght  was  as  black  as  pitch  ;  but  the  flash  showed  us  that  the 
stranger  was  not  far  to  leeward  :  so,  to  avoid  drifting  on  the 
wreck  during  the  darkness,  the  main -top-sail  was  braced  round, 
and  filled,  and  the  ship  hauled  to  windward.  In  ^his  manner 
we  kept  alternately  beating  and  heaving-to  as  the  gale  rose  or 
fell  till  the  morning  broke,  when,  through  the  haze,  we  per- 
ceived a  small  vessel  with  her  masts  carried  away  As  the  wind 
had  taken  off,  the  Captain  had  gone  to  bed  :  so  it  was  the 
mate's  watch  on  deck.  The  steersman,  an  old  gray-headed 
seaman,  named  James  Gemmel,  proposed  to  bear  down  and 
save  the  people,  saying  he  had  been  twice  wrecked  himself, 
and  knew  what  it  was  to  be  in  such  a  situation.  As  the  Cap- 
tain was  below,  the  mate  was  irresolute  what  to  do  ;  being 
aware  that  the  success  of  the  speculation  depended  on  their 
getting  to  Surinam  before  it  was  given  up  ;  however,  he  wai 
at  length  persuaded — the  helm  was  put  up,  and  the  ship  bore 

As  we  neared  the  wreck,  and  were  standing  by  the  mizeo 
^nrouds  with  our  glasses,  the  Captain  came  up  from  the  cabin, 
rie  looked  up  with  as'.onishment  to  the  sails,  and  the  direction 
at  the  vessel's  head,  and,  in  a  voice  of  suppressed  oassion,  said 
as  he  turned  to  the  mate,  "  What  is  the  meaning  of  «,»*«.,.  Mr 
VVyllie  ?  Who  has  dared  to  Liter  the  ship's  course  without 
my  leave — when  you  know  very  well  that  we  shall  hardly  b« 
in  time  for  the  market,  use  what  expedition  we  may  ?"  Th« 
young  man  w&i  confused  by  this  unexpected  challenf  •,  and 


301 


TOK  riRATB't  TBBlSmUL 


Stammered  out  soincthing  about  Gemmel  haviitf  per<u«ll«t 
}nm.  ''  It  was  me,  sir  ! ''  respectfully  interfered  the  old  sailor, 
wishing  to  avert  the  storm  ^om  the  mate  ;  ^'  I  thought  you 
wouldn't  have  the  heart  to  leave  the  wreck  and  these  people 
to  perish,  without  lending  a  hand  to  save  them.  We  shoaJd 
be  neither  Christians  nor  true  seamen  to  desert  her,  and  * 
'  Damn  you  and  the  wreck,  you  old  canting  rascal !  do  you 
oretend  to  stand  there  and  preach  to  mo  ?"  thundered  the  Cap~ 
tain,  his  fury  breaking  out,  ^*  I  '11  teach  you  to  disobey  my 
orders  ! — I  'II  give  you  something  to  think  of!"  and  seizing  a 
capstan-spar  which  lay  near  him,  he  hurled  it  at  the  steersman 
with  all  his  might.  The  blow  was  effectual — one  end  of  it 
struck  him  across  the  head  with  such  force  as  to  sweep  him  in 
an  instant  from  his  station  at  the  wheel,  and  to  dash  him  with 
violence  against  the  lee-bulwarks,  where  he  lay  bleeding,  and 
motionless.  ^'  Take  that,  and  be  damned  !''  exclaimed  the 
wretch,  as  he  took  the  helm,  and  sang  out  to  the  men, — **  Stand 
by  sheets  and  braces — hard  a-lee — let  go  !"  In  a  twinkling 
the  yards  were  braced  round,  and  t'  c  Dart,  laid  within  six 
points  of  the  wind,  was  flying  through  the  water. 

Meanwhile  Gemmel  was  lying  without  any  one  daring  to  as- 
sist him  ;  for  the  crew  were  so  confounded  that  they  seemed 
quite  undetermined  how  to  act.  I  stepped  to  him,  therefore, 
and  the  mate  following  my  example,  we  lifted  him  up.  Ae 
there  was  no  appearance  of  respiration,  I  placed  my  hand  on 
his  heart — but  pulsation  had  entirely  ceased — the  old  man  was 
dead.  The  bar  hao  struck  him  directly  on  the  temporal  bone, 
and  had  completely  fractured  that  part  of  the  skull. 

"  He  is  a  murdered  man,  Capt.  Mahone  !"  said  I,  laying 
down  the  body,  "  murdered  without  cause  or  provocation." 
"  None  of  your  remarks,  Sir  !"  he  retorted  ;  "  what  the  devil 
have  you  to  do  with  it  ?  Do  you  mean  to  stir  up  my  n>en  to 
mutiny  ?  Or  do  you  call  disobeying  my  orde-s  no  provoca- 
tion ?  I  '11  answer  it  to  those  who  have  a  right  to  ask  ;  but 
till  then,  let  me  see  the  man  who  dare  open  his  mouth  to  me 
HI  this  ship."  "  I  promise  you,"  returned  I,  "  that  though 
you  rule  and  tyrannise  here  at  present,  your  power  shall  have 
a  termination,  and  you  shall  be  callf^d  to  account  for  your  con- 
duct in  this  day's  w^rk — rest  assured  that  this  blood  shall  be 
required  at  y<our  hands,  though  you  have  hitherto  escaped 
punishment  for  what  has  stained  them  already."  This  allusion 
to  the  murder  of  little  Bill  Burnet  seemed  to  stagger  him  con- 
liderably — he  stopped  short  before  me,  and,  while  his  face 
|rew  black  with  suppressed  wrath  and  fury,  whiapered    *'I 


■«rwn-»i|iw>iiw>,iiii  immimxiudtoMiiui^ 


Tm   riRATk'l   tRBAlCftl. 


$» 


warn  you  agaiii)  young  man  !  to  busy  yourfoll  with  your  own 
matters — meddle  not  with  what  does  not  concern  you ;  and 

belay  your  slack  iaw,  or,  by !     Rink  Mahone  will  find  a 

way  to  make  it  fast  for  you  !"     He  then  turned  round,  and 
walked  forward  to  the  forecastle. 

During  this  affray  no  attention  had  been  paid  to  the  wreck, 
.hough  the  crew  had  set  uo  a  veil  of  desoair  on  seeing  us  leave 
them  oirii?  '^^i  \>ii  ♦xjrT.  ^^aaf.Sfi^  ini  a  voice^ 
loudct'  •!  *j:i'  zx\  'lo  ^1,  -::p':?>l  >ir '^i  ^  ").  the  lovc 
of  the  blessed  Virgin  ;  and  offered  ricnes  and  absolution  to  th*. 
whole  ship's  company  if  they  would  but  come  back.  The 
Captain  was  pacing  fore  and  uA  without  appearing  to  mind 
ihem,  when,  as  if  struck  with  some  sudden  thought,  he  hllec 
his  glass  to  his  eye — seemed  to  hesitate — walked  on — and  then, 
ull  at  once  changing  his  mind,  he  ordered  the  vessel  again  be- 
fore the  wind. 

On  speaking  the  wreck,  she  proved  to  be  a  Spanish  felucca 
from  the  island  of  Cuba,  bound  for  Curacoa,  on  the  coast  of 
the  Caraccas.  As  they  had  lost  their  boats  in  the  storm,  and 
could  not  leave  the  vessel,  our  Captain  lowered  and  manned 
our  jolly-boat,  and  went  off  to  them. 

Ailer  an  absence  of  some  hours  he  returned  with  the  passen- 
gers, consisting  of  an  elderly  person  in  the  garb  of  a  catholic 
priest,  a  sick  gentleman,  a  young  lady,  apparently  daughter 
of  the  latter,  and  a  female  black  slave.  With  the  utmost  dif- 
ficulty, and  writhing  under  some  excruciating  pain,  the  invalid 
was  got  on  board  and  carried  down  to  the  cabin,  where  he  war 
laid  on  ihe  floor.  To  the  tender  of  my  professional  servicti 
the  invalid  returned  his  thanks,  and  would  have  declined  theni; 
expressing  his  conviction  of  being  past  human  aid,  but  tlv 
young  lady,  eagerly  catching  at  even  a  remote  hope  of  air 
cess,  implored  him  with  tears  to  accept  my  offer.  On  e^ 
ftmination  I  found  his  fears  were  but  too  well  grounded, 
his  eiti^i'vi!  :>  •»>.*'«  'n  li^  In*  .^  ^fie  gile  he  had  be., 
stand' 13  '."9  o  .-•Ji",  ;>'3r '  r'  ttzi  >:  ,1;?  t  jjrmg,  hivin/? 
fallen  on  hiin,  !uid  dislocated  se/eral  of  his  ribs,  and  injured 
his  spine  beyond  remedy.  All  that  could  now  be  done  was  to 
afibrd  a  little  temporary  relief  from  pain,  which  I  did  ;  and 
leaving  him  to  the  care  of  the  young  lady  and  the  priest,  I  left 
the  cabin. 

On  deck  I  found  all  bustle  and  confusion.  The  ship  wan 
•till  lying-to,  and  the  boats  employed  in  bringing  the  goods  out 
of  the  felucca,  both  of  which  were  the  property  of  the  wound- 
ed gentleman.     The  body  of  the  old  raan,  Gremmel,  had  beea 


ao4 


TBI   PIEATB't  TRIAIUmi 


ramoved  somewhere  out  ofsiffht ;  no  trace  ofblood  wasvisible) 
aud  Capt.  I\':i*>  '^o  seemed  desirous  to  banish  all  recollectioni 
both  of  our  q  .  ..     1  and  its  origin. 

As  the  invalid  wa»  lying  in  the  cabin,  and  my  state-room 
was  occupied  by  the  lady  and  her  female  attendant,  I  got  ■ 
temporary  birth  in  the  steerage  made  up  for  myself  for  the 
night.  I  had  not  long  thrown  myself  down  on  my  cot,  which 
was  only  divided  from  the  main-cabin  by  a  bulk-head,  when  I 
was  awakened  by  the  deep  groans  of  the  Spaniard.  The  vio- 
lence of  his  pain  had  again  returned,  and  between  the  spasms 
I  heard  the  weeping  and  gentle  voice  of  the  lady  soothing 
his  agonyj  and  trying  to  impart  hopes  and  prospects  to  him, 
which  her  own  hysterical  sobs  told  plainly  she  did  not  herself 
feel.  The  fxriest  also  frequently  joined,  and  urged  him  to  con- 
fess. To  this  advice  he  remained  silent  for  awhile  ;  but  ai 
length  he  addressed  the  lady  :  "  The  Padre  says  true,  Isa- 
bella !  Time  wears  apace,  and  I  feel  that  I  shall  soon  be  be- 
/ond  its  limits,  and  above  its  concerns  !  But  ere  I  go,  j 
iirould  say  that  which  it  would  impart  peace  to  my  mind  to  dis* 
slose — I  would  seek  to  leave  you  at  least  one  human  being  t% 
befriend  and  protect  you  in  your  utter  helplessness.  Alas  : 
that  Diego  di  Montaldo's  daughter  should  ever  be  thus  des- 
titute !  Go  I  my  love  !  I  would  be  alone  a  little  while  mtla 
the  father."  An  agony  of  tears  and  sobs  was  the  only  return 
made  b)  the  poor  girl,  while  the  priest  with  gentle  violence 
led  her  into  the  state-room. 

"  Now,"  continued  the  dying  man,  "  listen  to  me  while  I 
have  strength.  You  have  only  known  me  as  a  merchant  in 
Cuba  ;  but  such  I  have  not  been  always.  Mine  is  an  ancient 
and  noble  family  in  Catalonia  ;  though  I  unhappily  disgraced 
it,  and  have  been  estranged  from  it  long  I  had  the  misfor- 
une  to  have  weak  and  indulgent  parents,  who  idolized  me  as 
the  heir  of  their  house, 'and  did  not  possess  resolution  enough 
to  thwart  me  in  any  of  my  wishes  or  desires,  however  unrea- 
sonable. My  boyhood  being  thus  spoiled,  it  is  no  matter  of 
wonder  that  my  youth  should  have  proved  wild  and  dissolute 
My  companions  were  as  dissipated  as  myself,  and  much  of  our 
time  was  spent  in  gambling  and  othor  extravagances.  One 
evening  at  play  I  quarrelled  with  a  young  nobleman  of  high 
rank  and  influence  ;  we  were  both  of  us  hot  and  passionate,  00 
we  drew  on  the  spot  and  fought,  and  I  had  the  misfortune  to 
run  him  through  the  heart  and  leave  him  dead.  Not  daring 
to  remain  longer  at  hDme,  I  fled  in  disguise  to  Barcelona 
where  J  procured  a  paBaage  in  a  vemel  for  the  Spaoiih  Mai^ 


..*w.'^.J»;^4Q»^.t» 


m  rilUTl'l  TRBAIUftl. 


ms 


On  our  ToyAge  we  were  taken  by  buccaneers  ;  and  the  roTiog 
and  Tenturous  modo  of  life  of  these  bold  and  daring  men  auit- 
ing  both  my  inclinalion  and  finances,  I  agreed  to  make  one  of 
their  number.  For  many  months  we  were  successful  in  our 
enterprises  :  we  ranged  the  whole  of  these  seas,  and  made  a 
number  of  prizes,  some  of  which  were  rich  ships  of  our  own 
colonies.  In  course  of  time  wo  amassed  such  a  quantity  of 
specie  as  to  make  us  unwilling  to  venture  it  in  one  bottom  ;  so 
we  agreed  to  hide  it  ashore  and  divide  it  on  our  return  from 
our  next  expedition.  But  our  good  fortune  forsook  us  thia 
time.  During  a  calm  the  boats  of  the  Guarda-costa  came  on 
lis,  overpowered  the  ship,  and  made  all  the  crew,  except  my- 
self and  two  others,  prisoners.  We  escaped  with  our  boat, 
and  succeeded  in  gaining  the  island  of  Cuba,  where  both  of 
my  comrades  died  of  their  wounds.  Subsequent  events  induc- 
ed me  to  settle  at  St.  Juan  de  Buenavista,  where  I  married, 
and,  as  a  merchant,  prospered  and  became  a  rich  ma.i.  But 
my  happiness  lasted  not !  My  wife  caught  the  yellow  fever 
and  died,  leaving  me  only  this  one  child  I  now  loathed  the 
scene  of  my  departed  happiness,  and  felt  all  the  longings  of  an 
exile  to  revisit  my  native  country  For  this  purpose  I  con- 
verted all  my  effects  into  money  ;  and  am  thus  far  on  my  way 
to  the  hidden  treasure,  with  which  1  intended  to  return  to 
Spain  But  the  green  hills  of  Catalonia  will  never  more  glad- 
den mine  s^yes  !  My  hopes  and  wishes  were  only  for  my  poor 
girl.  Holy  father  !  you  know  not  a  parentis  feelings — its  anx- 
ieties and  its  fears  !  The  thoughts  of  leaving  my  child  to  the 
mercy  of  strangers  ;  or,  it  may  be,  to  their  barbarities,  in  this 
lawless  country,  is  far  more  dreadful  than  the  anguish  of  my 
personal  sufferings.  With  you  rests  my  only  hope.  Promise 
me  your  protection  towards  her,  and  the  half  of  all  my  wealth 
is  yours  " 

"  Earthly  treasures,"  replied  the  priest,  "  avail  not  w'th  one 
whose  desires  are  fixed  beyond  the  little  handful  of  dust  which 
perisheth — my  life  is  devoted  to  the  service  of  my  Creator  ; 
and  the  conversion  of  ignorant  men,  men  who  have  never 
heard  of  his  salvation.  On  an  errand  of  mercy  came  I  to  this 
land  ;  and  «f  the  heathen  receive  it,  how  much  more  a  daugh- 
ter of  our  most  holy  church  ?  I,  therefore,  in  behalf  of  our 
community,  accept  of  your  offer,  and  swear  on  this  blessed 
emblem  to  fulfil  all  your  wishes  to  the  best  of  my  poor  abil- 
iues.'' 

^*  £nough,  enough  !  (said  Montaldo)  I  am  satisfied  !  Among 
.4iil  archipelago  of  desert  islandS}  known  by  the  oaint  of  Um 


TBI  riBATS't  IHBAliraB. 


Roecat,  lituated  on  the  coaBt  ofthu  province  ofVeneEnela  ia 
New  Granada,  there  is  one  called  the  Wolf-rock  ;  it  ia  the 
longest  and  mont  northern  of  the  group,  and  lies  the  most  to 
aeaward.  At  the  eastern  point,  which  runs  a  little  way  into 
the  sea,  there  stands  an  old  vanilla,  blasted  and  withered,  and 
retaining  but  a  single  solitary  branch.  On  the  eve  of  the  fei- 
tival  of  St.  Jago  the  moon  will  be  at  her  full  in  the  west.  A. 
twenty  minutes  past  midnight  she  will  attain  to  her  highest 
latitude  in  the  heavens,  and  then  the  shadow  of  the  tree  will 
be  thrown  due  east.  Watch  till  the  branch  ai^d  stem  unite 
and  form  only  one  line  of  shade — mark  its  extremity — for  there, 
ten  feet  below  the  surface,  the  cask  containing  the  gold  is 
buried.  That  gold,  father,  was  sinfully  got ;  but  fasts  and 
penances  have  been  done,  masses  without  number  have  been 
said,  and  I  trust  that  the  blessed  Virgin  has  interceded  for  the 
forgiveness  of  that  great  wickedness  !  I  have  now  confessed 
all,  and  confide  in  your  promise  !  and  as  you  perform  your 
oath,  so  will  the  blessing  or  curse  of  a  dying  man  abide  with 
you.  I  feel  faint,  dying.  Oh  !  let  me  clasp  my  child  once 
more  to  my  heart  before  I " 

Here  the  rest  of  the  sentence  became  indistinct  from  the 
death-rattle  in  his  throat.  I  leaped  off  my  cot,  and  sprang  up 
the  hatchway,  and  had  my  foot  on  the  top  of  the  companion- 
ladder,  when  a  piercing  shriek  from  below  making  me  quicken 
my  steps,  I  missed  my  hold,  and  fell  on  some  person  stationed 
on  the  outside  of  the  cabin  door.  The  person,  without  utter- 
ing a  single  word,  rose  and  ascended  the  steps  ;  but  as  he 
emerged  into  the  faint  light  which  still  lingered  i.i  the  horizon, 
I  could  distinguish  him  to  be  the  Captain.  On  my  entering, 
I  found  the  Spaniard  dead,  and  his  daughter  lying  in  a  state 
of  insensibility  by  his  side  ;  while  the  female  slave  was  howl- 
ing and  tearing  her  hair  like  one  in  a  frenzy.  The  priest  was 
entirely  absorbed  in  his  devotions  ;  so,  without  disturbing  him, 
I  lifted  the  lady  and  bore  her  into  the  state-room.  The  greater 
part  of  the  night  was  passed  in  trying  to  restore  her  to  sensa- 
tion. Fit  after  fit  followed  each  other  in  such  quick  succca- 
aion  that  I  began  to  apprehend  the  result ;  but  at  length  the 
hysterical  paroxysm  subsided,  and  tears  coming  to  her  relief, 
iihc  became  somewhat  composed,  when  I  left  her  in  charge  of 
her  attendant. 

The  next  day  was  spent  in  taking  out  the  remainder  of  th« 
felucca's  cargo.  There  seemed  now  no  anxiety  on  the  cap- 
tain's part  to  proceed  on  his  voyage— he  appeared  to  have  fop- 
got  th9  necessity,  expressed  on  a  former  occasion,  af  baing  it 


,!tiMia^h 


n»  PIIATE'I  TEBAttmi 


901 


port  within  a  limited  time.  He  was  often  in  a  itate  of  inebri* 
tiy  ;  for  the  wine  and  spirits  of  the  Spaniards  were  lavish!/ 
■eryed  out  to  the  whole  ship's  company,  with  whom  he  also 
mixed  more  ;  and  banished  that  haughtiness  of  bearing  which 
had  marked  his  conduct  hitherto. 

In  the  evening  the  body  of  Don  Diego  was  brought  upon 
deck,  where  his  crew,  under  the  superintendence  of  the  priest, 
prepared  it  for  its  commitment  to  the  deep.  The  corpse  was. 
as  IS  usual  in  such  cases,  wrapped  up  in  the  blankets  and 
fleets  in  which  it  had  lain,  and  a  white  napkin  was  tied  over 
he  face  and  head.  In  its  right  hand,  which  was  crossed  over 
the  breast,  was  placed  a  gold  doubloon.  Its  left  held  a  small 
bag  containing  a  book,  a  hammer,  and  a  candle,  while  on  the 
bosom  was  laid  the  little  crucifix  worn  by  the  deceased.  It  was 
next  enveloped  in  a  hammock,  with  a  couple  of  eight-pound 
shots,  and  a  bag  of  ballast  at  the  feet  to  sink  it.  At  midnight 
the  vessel  was  hove-to,  and  all  the  ship's  company  assembled 
at  the  lee-gangway.  The  Spaniards  and  negroes  bore  each  a 
burmng  torch  in  his  hand  ;  the  blaze  of  which,  as  they  held 
them  elevated  above  their  heads,  cast  a  strange  and  fearful 
light  through  the  deep  darkness,  and  illumined  the  ocean  far 
and  wide  with  a  supernatural  rcfulgency.  When  all  was 
ready,  the  priest,  accompanied  by  Isabella,  came  up  from  the 
cabin,  and  the  Spaniards  lifting  up  the  body,  carried  it  forward 
to  the  waist,  where  one  of  the  ship's  gratings  had  been  put  pro« 
jecting  over  the  side,  and  on  this  the  corpse  was  laid,  and  its 
feet  to  the  water.  Around  this  the  torch-bearers  formed  a 
circle,  and  the  priest,  standing  at  the  head,  began  the  funeral 
service  for  the  dead  at  sea.  The  wind  had  now  subsided  into 
a  gentle  breeze  ;  and  nothing  disturbed  the  profound  silence 
of  the  crew  during  mass,  save  the  slight  splashing  of  the  waves 
against  the  windward  side  of  the  ship,  and  the  deep  drawn, 
convulsive  sobs  of  the  young  lady  as  she  stood,  enveloped  in 
the  mantillo,  in  the  obscurity  of  the  main-rigging.  Mass  being 
concluded,  the  priest  solemnly  chanted  the  funeral  anthem  ; — 
**  May  the  angels  conduct  thee  into  Paradise  ;  may  the  mar- 
tyrs receive  thee  at  thy  coming  ;  and  mayest  thou  have  eterna. 
rest  with  I^azarus,  who  was  formerly  poor !"  He  then  sprink- 
led the  body  with  holy  water  and  continued  : — '^  As  it  hath 
{(leased  God  to  take  the  soul  of  our  dear  brother  here  depart- 
ed unto  himself,  we,  therefore,  commit  his  body  to  the  deep,  in 
the  sure  and  certain  hope  of  a  joyful  resurrection  on  that  daj 
when  the  sea  shall  give  up  iis  dead.  Let  him  rest  in  peace  !" 
The  Spaniards  responded  '^  Amen  !"  and  the  prieil  repe«tiiig| 


In 


TBI  PlBATB'l  TBBAtOBS 


!    * 


'*  Maj  his  §oul,  and  the  touls  of  all  the  faithful  departed, 
through  the  mercy  of  God,  rest  in  peace — Amen  !"  made  tha 
aign  of  the  cross  ;  and  the  bow-chaser,  which  had  been  loaded 
and  made  ready  for  the  occasion,  firing,  the  end  of  the  grating 
was  gently  elevated,  and  the  corpse  heavily  plunged  into  the 
water.  The  waves  parted,  heaving  and  foaming  round  the 
body  as  it  disappeared, — when  to  our  horror  and  astonishment 
we  beheld  it,  the  next  minute,  slowly  return  to  the  surface, 
deprived  of  the  canvass  covering  in  which  it  had  been  sewed. 
The  dead  man  came  up  as  he  had  gone  down,  in  an  upright 

Eosition,  and  floated  a  little  time  with  his  back  to  the  vessel , 
ut  the  motion  of  the  water  turned  him  round  by  degrees  till 
we  distinctly  saw  his  face.  The  head  was  thrown  back,  and 
the  eyes  wide  open  ;  and  under  the  strong  stream  of  light  pour- 
ed on  them  from  the  torches,  they  seemed  to  glare  ghastly  and 
fearfully  upwards.  His  gray  hair,  long  and  dishevelled,  float- 
ed  about  his  face,  at  times  partially  obscuring  it ;  and  one  arm, 
stretched  forth,  and  agitated  by  the  action  of  the  waves,  ap- 
peared as  if  in  the  act  of  threatening  us.  When  the  first  burst 
of  horror  had  subsided,  I  caught  hold  of  Isabella  to  prevent 
her  seeing  the  body,  and  was  leading  her  off,  when  some  of  the 
men,  lowering  their  torches  from  the  main-chains,  whispered 
that  it  was  the  murdered  man,  old  James  Gemmel.  The  Cap- 
tain had  been  hitherto  looking  on  with  the  rest  without  having 
apparently  recognised  him  ;  but  when  the  name  struck  his  ear, 
he  shrunk  back  and  involuntarily  exclaimed,  '^  it  ^s  a  lie — it  '■ 
an  infamous  lie  !  Who  dares  to  say  he  was  murdered  ?  He 
went  overboard  two  days  ago  ?  But  don't  let  him  come  on 
board;  for  God's  sake  keep  him  down,  or  he  Ml  take  us  all 
with  him  to  the  bottom.  Will  nobody  keep  him  down  ?  Will 
nobody  shove  him  off?  Helma-lee  !"  he  bawled  out,  waving 
to  the  steersman  ;  but  the  man  had  deserted  his  post,  eager  to 
see  what  was  going  on  ;  he,  therefore,  ran  to  the  wheel  him- 
self, and  again  issued  his  commancts,  '^  Let  go  the  main  top- 
sail weather  braces,  and  bring  round  the  yard  !  Let  them  go, 
1  say'"  His  orders  were  speedily  executed.  The  vessel 
gathered  way,  and  we  quickly  shot  past  the  body  of  the  old 
man.  -  - 

For  several  days  afler  this,  we  pursued  our  course  with  a 
favorable  wind,  which  drove  us  swiftly  forward  on  our  voyage. 
The  Captain  now  kept  himself  constantly  intoxicated,  seldom 
piade  his  appearance  in  the  cabin,  but  left  us  altogether  to  the 
care  of  the  steward.  All  subordination  w  5  now  at  an  end — 
iMf  whole  time  waa  spent  among  the  seameO)  with  wliOM  l|f 


TBI   riRATl'l  TRIAlUmt 


30i 


mixed  fkmiliarly,  and  was  addrenicd  by  them  -«fithout  tht 
slightest  portion  of  that  respect  or  deference  commonly  paid 
to  the  Captain  of  the  vessel.  The  appearance  of  the  men, 
also,  was  much  altered.  From  the  careless  mirth  and  gaieiy 
and  the  characteristic  good  humor  of  sailors,  there  was  now  a 
sullenness  and  gloom  only  visible .  A  constant  whispering — a 
constant  caballing  was  going  on — a  perpetual  discussion,  as  if 
some  design  of  moment  was  in  agitation,  or  some  step  of  deep 
importance  was  about  to  be  taken.  All  sociality  and  confi- 
dence towards  each  other  were  baniHhcd.  In  place  of  convers- 
ing together  in  a  body,  as  formerly,  they  now  walked  about  in 
detached  parties,  among  them  the  boatswain  and  carpenter 
seemed  to  take  an  active  lead.  Yet,  in  the  midst  of  all  this 
disorder,  a  few  of  our  crew  kept  themselves  separate,  taking 
no  share  in  the  general  consultation  ;  but  from  the  anxiety  ex- 
pressed in  their  countenances,  as  well  as  in  that  of  the  mate, 
1  foresaw  some  storm  was  brooding,  and  about  to  burst  on  our 
heads. 

Since  Montaldo^s  death,  Isabella  had  been  in  the  habit  of 
leaving  her  cabin  after  sun-set,  to  enjoy  the  coolness  of  the 
evening  breeze,  and  in  this  she  was  sometimes  joined  by  the 
priest,  but  more  frequently  was  only  attended  by  her  slave. 
One  evening  she  came  up  as  usual,  and  after  walking  backward 
and  forward  on  deck  till  the  dews  began  to  fall,  she  turned  to 
go  below  ;  but  just  as  we  approached  the  companion-way,  one 
of  the  negroes,  who  now,  in  the  absence  of  all  discipline, 
lounged  about  the  quarter-deck  without  rebuke,  shut  down  the 
head,  and  throwing  himself  on  it,  declared  that  none  should 
make  him  rise  without  the  reward  of  a  kiss.  This  piece  of  in- 
solence was  received  with  an  encouraging  laugh  by  his  fellows, 
and  severa  slang  expressions  of  wit  were  loudly  applauded  by 
those  around.  Without  a  word  of  remonstrance,  Isabella 
timidly  stooped,  and  would  have  attempted  getting  down  the 
ladder  without  disturbing  the  slave  ;  when,  burning  with  indig- 
nation, I  seized  the  rascal  by  the  collar,  and  pit^.hed  him  head 
foremost  along  the  deck.  In  an  instant  he  get  on  his  legs, 
and  pulling  a  clasp-knife  out  of  his  pocket,  with  an  imprecation 
he  made  towards  me.  All  the  other  negroes  likewise  made  a 
motion  to  assist  him,  and  I  expected  to  be  assailed  on  all  hands, 
when  the  mate  interfered,  and  laying  hold  of  the  marlin-spike, 
which  I  had  caught  up  to  defend  myself,  pushed  me  back,  at 
he  whispered,  "  Are  you  mad,  that  you  interfere  ?  For  heaven's 
sake,  keep  quiet,  for  I  have  no  authority  over  the  crew  now  !" 
And  he  spoke  the  truth  ;  for  the  negro^  brandishing  hit  kaifey 


77 


warn 


SlO 


tHl   PIRAT£'«  TMASnllk 


and  supported  by  his  comrades,  was  again  adiraacing,  whe3 
the  hoarse  voice  of  the  boatswain,  as  he  ran  to  the  scene  of 
action,  arrested  his  progress. 

^^  Hallo  !  you  there,  what 's  the  squall  for  ?  Avast,  avast, 
Mingo  ;  ofT  hands  is  fair  play — ship  that  blade  of  yours,  or  I'll 
send  my  fist  through  your  ribs,  and  make  day-light  shino 
through  them  in  a  minute."  I  related  the  behavior  of  the 
negro,  and  was  requesting  him  to  ordor  the  slaves  forward^ 
wuen  I  was  cut  short  with — "There  are  no  slaves  here,  young 
man  !    we  are  all  alike  free  in  a  British  ship.      But  damn 

his  eyes  for   an  insolent  son  of  a ;  he  pretend  to  kiss 

the  pretty  girl  !  I  Ml  let  him  know  she  belongs  to  his  betters  ! 
The  black  wench  is  good  enough  for  him  any  day.  Come,  my 
dear  !"  he  continued,  turning  to  Isabella,  '^  give  me  the  same 
hire,  and  i  Ml  undertake  to  clear  the  way  for  you  myself."  He 
made  as  if  he  meant  to  approach  her,  when,  careless  of  what 
the  consequence  might  be  to  myself,  I  hastily  stepped  forward, 
and  lifting  up  the  head  of  the  companion,  Isabella  in  an  instant 
darted  below.  "  This  lady  is  no  fit  subject  either  for  wit  or  in- 
solence," said  I,  shutting  the  doors,  ''  and  he  is  less  than  man 
who  would  insult  an  unprotected  female."  For  a  little  while 
he  stood  eyeing  me  as  if  hesitating  whether  he  would  resent 
my  inierference,  or  remain  passive  ;  at  length  he  turned  slowly 
and  doggedly  away  as  ht  uttered — "  you  ruffle  big,  and  crow 
with  a  brisk  note,  my  lad  !  But  I  've  seen  me  do  as  wonder 
ful  a  thing  as  twist  your  windpipe  and  send  you  over  the  side 
to  cool  yourself  a  bit ;  and  sol  would  serve  you  in  the  turning 
of  a  wave,  if  it  wasn't  that  we  may  have  use  for  you  yet !  1 
see  in  what  quarter  the  wind  sets  ;  but  mind  your  eye  !  for 
sink  me  if  I  don't  keep  a  sharp  look  out  ahead  over  you.'' 

I  now  saw  that  things  had  come  to  a  crisis — that  the  crew 
meant  to  turn  pirates  ;  and  I  was  to  be  detained  among  them 
for  the  sake  of  my  professional  services.  I  could  not,  without 
a  shudder,  reflect  on  what  must  be  the  fate  of  Isabella  among 
such  a  gang  of  reckless  villains ;  but  I  firmly  resolved  that, 
come  what  might,  my  protection  and  care  over  her  should  cease 
out  with  my  life. 

To  be  prepared  for  the  worst,  I  immediately  went  below, 
loaded  my  pistols,  and  concealed  them  in  my  breast,  securing 
at  the  same  fime  all  my  money  and  papers  about  my  person. 
While  thus  employed,  one  of  the  cabin-boys  came  down  for  a 
gpy -glass  saying  that  a  sail  had  hove  in  ^-rht  to  windward. 
Lpon  thiff  I  followed  him  up,  and  found  the  c  •:  collected  to- 
gather  in  clanoiorout  consultatiou  as  to  the  co they  «houM 


..•^.*l!k..'*S4 


THE  riRATK'S   TRIASUEI. 


•u 


)W, 

m. 

a 
Ird. 
Ito- 


follow .  Some  were  for  lying  to  till  she  came  down,  and  tak* 
ing  her,  if  a  merchantman  ;  and  if  not,  they  could  easily  sheer 
on--^but  this  motion  was  overruled  by  the  majority,  who  judged 
it  best  to  keep  clear  for  fear  of  accidents  :  accordingly  all  the 
spare  canvas  was  set,  and  we  were  soon  gaining  large  before 
the  wind.  But  the  Dart,  though  reckoned  the  tirst  sailor  out 
of  Clyde  when  close  hauled  on  a  wind,  was  by  no  means  so 
fleet  when  squared  away  and  going  free  :  she  had  now  met 
with  her  match,  for  the  stranger  was  evidently  gaining  rapidly 
on  us,  and  in  two  hours  we  saw  it  was  impossible  for  us  to 
escape.  The  priest  and  I  were  ordered  down  with  a  threat  of 
instant  death  if  we  offered  to  come  on  deck,  or  make  any  at- 
tempt to  attract  observation. 

I  now  communicated  to  Isabella  my  apprehensions  with  re 
spect  to  the  crew,  along  with  my  resolution  to  leave  the  vessel 
it  the  other  proved  a  man-of-war,  and  earnestly  advised  both 
her  and  the  priest  to  take  advantage  of  it  also.  She  thanked 
me  with  a  look  and  smile  that  told  me  how  sensible  she  was 
of  the  interest  1  felt  in  her  welfare,  and  expressed  her  willing- 
ness to  be  guided  by  me  whatever  way  I  thought  best. 

Shortly  after  this  we  heard  a  gun  fired  to  bring  us  to,  and 
the  Dart  hailed  and  questioned  as  to  her  port  and  destination 
Th.e  answers,  it  appeared,  were  thought  evasive  and  unsatis- 
factory, for  we  were  ordered  to  come  close  under  the  lee- 
quartei  of  his  Majesty's  sloop  of  war  Tartar,  while  they  sent 
to  examine  our  papers.  This  was  now  our  only  chance,  and 
I  resolved,  that  if  the  officer  should  not  come  below,  I  would 
force  the  companion-door  and  claim  his  protection.  But  I 
was  not  put  to  this  alternative.  As  soon  as  he  arrived,  I  heard 
him  desire  the  hatches  to  be  taken  off,  and  order  his  men  to 
examine  the  hold.  The  inspection  did  not  satisfy  him;  for 
he  hiiled  the  sloop,  and  reported  that  there  were  Spanish  goods 
on  board  which  did  not  appear  in  the  manifest : — "  Then  remain 
on  board,  and  keep  your  stern  lights  burning  all  night,  and 
take  cnarge  of  the  ship  !"  was  the  reply.  In  a  stu.e  of  irksome 
sus; tense  we  remained  nearly  two  hours,  expecting  every 
miuute  to  hear  the  officer  descending.  At  length,  to  our  re- 
lief, the  companion-doors  were  unlocked,  and  a  young  man, 
attended  by  our  cantain,  entered  the  cabin.  He  looked  sur- 
prised on  seeing  us,  and  bowing  to  Isabella,  apologized  for  in- 
truding  at  such  an  unseasonable  hour.  ''But  I  was  not  given 
»G  understaid,"  he  added, ''  that  there  were  passengers  in  the 
ahip— prisoners  I  should  rather  pronounce  it,  Mr.  Mabone^ 
(or  jrou  seem  to  have  had  them  under  lock   end  k«*y,  whick 


M 


919 


mi   PIEATl'l   TRKASUKB. 


' 


IB  rathei  an  unusual  mode  of  treating  ladies  at  least.  No  wiMO^ 
■ir  !''  he  continued,  motioning  away  the  bottles  which  the  cap- 
tain was  hastily  placing  on  the  table — ^'  no  wine,  but  be  plea»> 
ed  to  show  me  your  register  and  bill  of  lading." 

He  had  not  been  long  seated  to  inspect  them  when  a  shuf- 
fling and  hurried  sound  of  feet  was  heard  overhead,  and  a  voice 
calling  on  Mr.  Dufi*  for  assistance,  showed  that  some  scuffle 
had  taken  place  above.  Instantaneously  we  all  started  to  our 
feet,  and  the  lieutenant  was  in  the  act  of  drawing  his  sword, 
whei.,  accidentally  looking  round,  I  observed  Mahone  present- 
ing a  pistol  behind.  With  a  cry  of  warning,  I  thre'w  myself 
forward,  and  had  just  time  to  strike  the  weapon  slightly  aside, 
when  it  went  off  The  ball  narrowly  missed  the  head  of  Duff, 
for  whom  it  had  been  aimed,  but  struck  the  priest  immediately 
over  the  right  eye,  who,  making  one  desperate  and  convulsive 
leap  as  high  as  the  ceiling,  sunk  down  dead,  and  before  the 
Captain  could  pull  out  another,  I  discharged  the  contents  of 
mine  into  his  breast.  We  then  rushed  upon  c^ck  ;  but  it  was 
only  to  find  the  boat's  crew  had  been  mastered,  and  to  behold 
the  last  of  the  men  tumbled  overboard.  The"  pirates  then  dis 
persed,  and  exerted  themselves  to  get  the  ship  speedily  under- 
way ;  while  the  boatswain  sang  out  to  extinguish  the  lanterns 
that  the  Tartar  might  not  be  guided  by  the  lights. 

"  It 's  all  over  with  us  !  "  exclaimed  my  companion  ;  "  but 
follow  me — we  have  one  chance  for  our  lives  yet.  Our  boat 
is  still  towing  astern  ;  do  you  throw  yourself  over,  and  swin" 
till  I  slide  down  the  painter,  and  cut  her  adrift.  Come,  bear 
a  hand,  ami  jump  !  don't  you  see  them  hastening  aft  ?"  And 
in  an  instant  he  pitched  himself  off  the  taffrel,  slid  down  the 
rope  which  held  the  boat,  and  cast  her  loose.  But  this  advice 
however  judicious,  it  was  impossible  for  me  to  follow — for,  at 
the  moment,  repeated  shrieks  from  Isabella  put  to  flight  all 
thoughts  for  my  own  individual  safety  ;  I,  therefore,  hurried 
back  to  the  cabin,  determined,  that  if  I  could  not  rescue  her 
along  with  myself,  to  remain,  and  protect  her  with  my  life. 
And  in  a  happy  time  I  arrived  !  The  candles  were  still  burn- 
ing on  the  table  ;  and  through  the  smoke  of  the  pistols,  which 
■till  filled  the  cabin,  I  beheld  her  struggling  in  the  arms  of  a 
negro — the  identical  slave  who  had  displayed  such  insolence  in 
the  early  part  of  the  evening.  With  one  stroke  of  the  butend 
of  my  pistol  I  fractured  the  cursed  villain's  scull — caught  up 
Isabella  in  my  arms — ran  up  the  ladder,  and  had  nearly  gainer 
the  side,  when  the  boatswain,  attracted  by  her  white  garment!, 
Iffl  the  helm  to  intercept  me — and  I  saw  the  gleam  of  hii  up 


woaiMIIMiuM*^.^!.-  nWri  ■Out^.niBfmi:  ■'i^ 


mi   PIEATl'S  TEIAIUEI. 


91» 


hfted  cutlasa  on  the  point  of  descending,  when  he  wm 
denly  ttruck  down  by  some  person  from  behind  I  did  not 
■top  to  discover  who  had  done  me  this  good  office,  but  hailing 
Duff,  and  clasping  I&abella  firmly  to  my  heart,  I  plunged  into 
the  water,  followed  by  my  unknown  ally.  With  Ihe  aid  of  my 
companion,  whom  I  now  found  to  be  John  Wyilie,  the  mate, 
we  easily  managed  to  support  our  charge  till  the  boat  reached 
us  ;  when  we  found  that  the  greater  part  of  the  men  had  been 
rescued  in  a  similar  manner. 

When  the  morning  dawned,  we  perceived  the  Dart,  like  a 
■peck  in  the  horizon,  and  the  sloop  of  war  in  close  chase. 
Our  attention  was  next  turned  to  our  own  situation,  which  was 
by  no  means  enviable  :  we  had  escaped,  it  is  true,  with  our 
lives,  for  the  present ;  but  without  a  morsel  of  food,  or  a  single 
drop  of  fresh  water,  with  us  m  the  boat ;  we  could,  at  best, 
only  expect  to  protract  existence  for  a  few  days  longer,  and 
then  yield  it  up  ultimately  in  horror  and  misery.  By  an  oh* 
■ervation  taken  the  day  before,  on  board  of  the  Tartar,  Mr. 
Duff  informed  us  we  were  to  the  north-east  of  the  Bahamas  j 
and  distant  about  one  hundred  and  seventy  miles  from  Wall- 
iRg^s  Island,  which  was  the  nearest  land.  This  was  a  long 
distance  ;  but,  as  despair  never  enters  the  breast  of  a  British 
■ailor,  even  in  situations  of  the  utmost  extremity,  we  cheered 
up  each  other  ;  and,  as  no  other  resource  was  left  us,  we 
manned  our  oars,  and  pulled  away  with  life,  trusting  in  the 
chance  of  meeting  with  some  vessel,  of  which  there  was  a 
strong  probability,  as  this  was  the  common  course  of  the  lee- 
ward traders.  And  our  hopes  were  not  disappointed  !  for  next 
day  we  fortunately  fell  in  with  a  brig  from  the  Azores,  bound 
for  Porto  Rico,  on  board  of  which  we  were  received  with 
much  kindness ;  and,  in  five  days,  we  found  ourselves  Mifa 
moored  in  Porto-real  harbor. 

My  first  step  on  landing  was  to  inquire  for  a  boarding  house 
tot  Isabella,  and  !  had  the  good  luck  to  be  directed  to  one 
kept  by  a  respectable  Scotch  family,  in  Orange  Terrace,  and 
to  this  I  conducted  her.  My  next  transaction  was  to  charter 
a  small  cutter,  and  to  communicate  to  Duff  the  secret  of  the 
bidden  treasure;  at  Uie  same  time  asking  him  to  adventure 
nimself  and  his  men  on  its  recovery.  I  also  gave  him  lo  un- 
deistand  the  probability  of  a  renconter  with  the  pirates,  in  the 
event  of  their  having  escaped  the  sloop,  for  I  was  aware  that 
Mahone  had  overheard  the  whole  confession,  from  my  finding 
him  listening  at  the  cabin  door.  Without  hentation,  the  lieu* 
t^ntiit  at  once  agreed  to  accompany  me,  and  engaging  ■omt 
▼01.   I  U 


■I 


i 


$u 


TBI  PIBATB's  TEBAtVEI. 


hands  out  of  a  Tessei  nowly  arrived,  we  soon  mustered  a  par- 
ty of  fourteen  men.  As  it  wanted  only  six  days  of  the  festival 
of  St  Jago,  and  the  distance  across  thf^  Garibean  sea  waa 
great  enough  to  require  all  our  exertior«  to  be  there  in  time, 
we  embarked  and  sailed  that  very  night. 

Our  cutter  proved  a  prime  sailor — and  though  the  wmda 
were  light  and  variable,  by  the  help  of  our  sweeps  we  m&de 
the  Roccas  on  the  evening  of  the  sixth  da)  As  the  Spaniard 
had  foretold,  the  moon  was  climbing  the  western  sky,  and 
pouring  the  fulness  of  her  splendor  with  a  mild  and  beautiful 
effulgence  on  the  untroubled  deep,  as  we  slowly  drifted  with 
the  current  between  the  Wolf-rock  and  the  adjacent  isle.  All 
was  silent  and  calm  over  the  whole  desert  of  the  Archipelago 
and  the  vast  surrounding  waters,  save  now  and  then  the  sud- 
den flight  of  a  sea-fowl  awakening  from  its  slumbers  as  we 
passed;  or  the  occasional  roar  of  the  jaguar  faintly  wafled 
from  the  main  land.  We  ran  the  cutter  into  a  deep  and  nar- 
row creek;  moored  her  safe,  and  proceeded,  well  armed,  to  the 
eastern  extremity.  There  we  found  the  projecting  point  of 
land,  and  the  old  vanilla  tree  exactly  in  the  situation  described 
— its  huge,  twisted  trunk  was  still  entire  ;  and  from  the  end  of 
its  solitary  branch,  which  was  graced  by  a  few  scattered  leaves, 
the  body  of  a  man  in  the  garb  of  a  sailor  hung  suspended  io 
irons.  The  clothes  had  preserved  the  body  from  the  birds  of 
prey,  but  the  head  was  picked  clean  and  bare,  leaving  th( 
eyeless  and  bleached  skull  to  glitter  whUe  in  the  moonlight 
In  perfect  silence,  and  with  something  of  awe  in  our  spiritf 
impressed  by  the  solitude,  and  dreariness  of  the  scene,  we 
seated  ourse4ves  on  the  rocks,  and,  with  my  timepiece  in  miy 
hand,  I  began  to  mark  the  progress  of  the  shadow.  For  near- 
ly three  hours  we  watched  in  this  manner,  listening  attentive- 
ly for  the  slightest  sound  from  sea-ward;  but  every  thing  con- 
tinued hushed  and  still,  except  the  creaking  of  the  chain  as 
the  dead  man  swung  to  and  fro  in  the  breeze  Midnight  was 
now  drawing  near — the  moon,  radiant  and  full,  was  careering 
high  through  the  deep  blue  of  heaven,  and  the  shadows  of  the 
branch  and  stem  were  approaching  each  other,  and  towards 
the  desired  point.  At  length  the  hand  of  my  timepiece  pointed  to 
within  a  minute  of  the  time.  It  passed  over.  The  branch  and 
stem  now  merged  into  one,  and  threw  their  shadow  due  east 
and  the  first  spade-full  of  earth  had  been  thrown  out,  when  the 
man  who  had  been  stationed  to  keep  a  look  out  came  running 
to  inform  us  that  a  boat  was  rabidly  approaching  from  the  east 
We  immediately  concluded  they  must  be  a  part  of  tbe  Pvt'f 


TBI   pirate's   TR£A8URk 


Sli 


erew;  and  their  long  and  vigorouB  strokes  as  they  stretched 
out  to  the  full  extent  of  their  oars,  showed  that  they  knew  the 
importance  of  every  minute  that  elapsed.  Our  implements  for 
digging  were  hastily  laid  aside,  and  we  concealed  ourselves 
among  the  rocks  till  they  should  come  within  reach.  In  a 
short  time  the  boat  was  seen  ashore,  and  eight  armed  men 
came  forward,  partly  Spaniards  and  partly  the  ship's  crew; 
among  whom  I  recognized  the  boatswain,  and,  to  my  surprise, 
Mahone,  whom  I  had  shot  and  lefl  for  dead  in  the  cabin 
Without  giving  them  time  to  prepare  for  the  assault,  we  quit- 
led  our  shelter,  and  sprung  among  them  at  once,  laying  about 
with  our  cutlasses. 

For  a  little  space  the  skirmish  was  toughly  and  hotly  con- 
tested; for  the  pirates  were  resolute  and  reckless,  and  fought 
with  the  desperation  of  men  who  knew  that  the  only  chance 
for  their  lives  lay  in  their  own  exertions.  In  the  confusion  of 
the  fray  I  had  lost  sight  of  Duff,  and  was  closely  engaged 
with  one  of  the  Spaniards,  when  the  voice  of  the  boatswain 
shouting  forth  a  horrible  imprecation  sounded  immediately  be- 
hind me.  I  turned  round,  and  sprung  aside  from  the  sweep 
of  his  cutlass,  and,  as  my  pistols  were  both  empty,  retreated, 
acting  on  the  defensive;  when  he  pulled  out  his,  fired,  and 
hurled  the  weapon  at  my  head.  The  shot  passed  without  in- 
juring me— but  the  pistol,  aimed  with  better  effect,  struck  me 
full  in  the  forehead.  A  thousand  sparks  of  light  flashed  from 
my  eyes — I  felt  myself  reeling,  and  on  the  point  of  falling, 
when  a  cut  across  the  shoulder  stretched  me  at  once  on  the 
ground.  When  I  recovered  from  my  stupor,  and  opened  my 
eyes,  the  morning  was  far  advanced — the  sun  was  shining 
bright  over  head;  and  I  found  myself  at  sea,  lying  on  the  deck  of 
the  cutter;  and  Duff  busily  engaged  in  examining  my  wounds. 
From  him  I  learned  that  the  pirates  had  been  mastered  after 
a  severe  conflict — in  which  four  had  been  slain,  and  lefl  on  the 
island;  two  had  escaped  unobserved  during  the  fight,  and 
tiade  off  with  the  boat;  and  two  had  been  wounded,  and  were 
prisoners  on  board,  one  of  whom  was  Mahone.  On  our  ar- 
rival at  Porto  Rico,  we  delivered  them  over  to  the  civil  pow- 
er; and,  soon  afterwards,  Mahone  was  tried  for  the  murder  of 
the  priest,  when  he  wns  convicted  on  our  evidence,  con- 
demned, and  executed.  Under  good  nursing  and  care,  I 
gradually   recovered. 

Isabella  is  not  now  that  destitute  and  unprotected  orphin 
whom  I  first  saw  on  the  middle  of  the  western  ocean — but 
tktt  happx  mistreM  of  a  happy  home,  dif>liainf  life  mod  (lai 


sit 


TBI   CUMBBBLAlfD    FAOIBT. 


>  I 


DOM  ou  all  around  her.     My   friend  DufT  has  lately 

Jdaced  on  the  list  of  post  captains,  and  is  anxiously  waiting 
or  more  bustling  times,  when  there  will  he  more  knoclc- 
ing  about)  and  more  hard  blows  got,  than  what  our  present 
peace  admits  of.  John  Wyllie,  too,  has  had  advancement 
m  his  line,  being  now  master  of  one  of  the  finest  ships  from 
Clyde;  and  I  had  the  additional  satisfaction  of  knowing  tha. 
none  of  the  crew  had  reason  to  regret  their  having  jeopardized 
their  lives  in  fighting  for  the  ''  Pirates  Treasure. 


THE  CUMBERLAND   PACKET 

In  the  dreadful  hurricane  which  took  place  at  Antigua^  on 
the  4th  of  September,  1804,  several  vessels  were  lost;  and 
among  others,  the  Duke  of  Cumberland  Packet.  Every  pre- 
caution had  been  taken,  by  striking  the  yards  and  masts,  to 
secure  the  vessel;  and  the  cable  had  held  so  long,  that  some 
faint  hope  began  to  be  entertained  of  riding  out  the  gale,  when 
several  of  the  crew  were  so  indiscreet,  as  to  quit  the  deck  for 
some  refreshment;  no  sooner  had  they  sat  down,  than  a  loud 
groan  from  the  rest  of  the  crew  summoned  them  on  deck. 
The  captain  ran  forward,  and  exclaimed,  '^  All's  now  over; 
Lord  God  have  mercy  upon  us!"  The  cable  had  parted;  the 
ship  hung  about  two  n:inutes  by  the  stream  and  kedge,  and 
then  began  to  drive  broadside  on.  At  this  moment  the  sea* 
men,  torn  by  despair,  seemed  for  a  moment  to  forget  them- 
selves; lamentations  for  their  homes,  their  wives,  and  their 
children,  resounded  through  the  ship.  Every  man  clung 
to  a  rope,  and  determined  to  stick  to  it  as  long  as  the  ship  re- 
mained entire.  For  an  hour  they  drifted  on,  without  knowing 
whither,  the  men  continued  to  hold  fast  by  the  rigging  while 
their  bodies  were  beaten  by  the  heaviest  rain,  and  lashed  by 
.try  wave.  The  most  dreadful  silence  prevailed.  Every 
one  WM  too  intent  on  his  own  approaching  end,  to  be  able  tf 


mi    CDMSKHLAND   PACKBff 


S11 


communicate  his  feelings  to  another;  and  nothing  wa«  hevdl 
but  the  howling  of  the  tempest.  The  vessel  drove  towardi 
the  harbor  of  St.  John's,  and  two  alarm  guns  virere  fired,  in 
order  that  the  garrison  might  be  spectators  "'f  their  fate,  for  it 
was  in  vain  to  think  of  assistance.  They  soon  drove  against  « 
large  ship,  and  went  close  under  her  stern  A  faint  liope  now 
appeared  of  being  stranded  on  a  sandy  beach;  and  the  captain 
therefore  ordered  the  carpenter  to  get  the  hatchets  all  ready  to 
cut  away  the  masts,  in  order  to  make  a  rail  for  those  who 
chose  to  venture  upon  it.  The  vessel  however  drove  with 
extreme  violence  on  some  rocks,  and  the  cracking  of  her  tim- 
bers below  was  distinctly  heard.  Every  hope  now  vanished, 
and  the  crew  already  began  to  consider  themselves  as  beings  of 
another  world.  In  order  to  ease  the  vessel,  and  if  possible 
prevent  her  from  parting,  the  mizen-mast  was  suffered  to  re- 
main, to  steady  the  vessel.  The  vessel  had  struck  about  two 
o'clock,  and  in  half  an  hour  aflerwards  the  water  was  up  to 
the  lower  deck.  Never  was  daylight  more  anxiously  wished 
for,  than  by  the  crew  of  this  vessel.  Afler  having  hung  so 
long  by  the  ehrouds,  they  were  forced  to  cling  three  hours 
longer  before  the  dawn  appeared.  The  sea  was  making  a 
complete  breach  over  the  ship,  which  was  laying  on  her  beam 
ends;  and  the  crew,  stiff  and  benumbed,  could  with  difficulty 
hold  against  the  force  of  the  waves,  every  one  of  which  struck 
and  nearly  drowned  them. 

The  break  of  day  discovered  to  the  wretched  mariners  all 
the  horrors  of  their  situation;  the  vessel  was  lying  upon  large 
rocks,  at  the  foot  of  a  craggy  overhanging  precipice,  twice  as 
high  as  the  ship's  mainmast;  the  wind  and  rain  beat  upon  the 
crew  witL  unabated  violence,  and  the  ship  lay  a  miserable 
wreck.  The  first  thoughts  of  the  crew  in  the  morning  were 
naturally  directed  to  the  possibility  of  saving  their  lives;  and 
they  all  agreed,  that  their  only  chance  of  doing  so,  was  by 
means  of  the  mizen-mast.  The  top-mast  and  top-gallant-mast 
were  launched  out,  and  reached  within  a  few  feet  of  the  rock. 
An  attempt  was  made  by  one  of  the  crew,  to  throw  a  rope  with 
a  noose  to  the  top  of  the  rock;  but  instead  of  holding  by  the 
bushes,  it  brought  them  away.  Another  seaman,  who  seem- 
ed from  despair  to  have  imbibed  an  extraordinary  degree  of 
courage,  followed  the  fkst  man  out  on  the  "(last,  with  the  in- 
tention of  throwing  himself  from  the  end  upon  the  mercy  of 
the  rock;  he  had  proceeded  to  the  extremity  of  the  top-gallant 
mast,  and  was  on  the  point  of  leaping  among  the  bushes, 
when  the  pole  of  the  mast,  unable  to  sustain  his  weight,  gaT« 


I  m 


-Spp- 


sit 


THB   CUMBBKLANO   rACKIV 


... 
■ 


wty,  and  precipitmted  him  into  the  bosom  of  the  waveB,  fron 
B  height  of  forty  feet.  Fortunately  he  had  carried  down  wita 
him  the  piece  of  the  broken  mast,  aad  instead  of  being  dash- 
ed to  pieces,  as  was  expected,  he  kept  himself  above  water 
until  he  was  hoisted  up.  All  hopes  of  being  saved  by  the 
mizen-mast  were  now  at  an  end;  and  while  the  crew  were 
meditating  in  sullen  silence  on  their  situation,  Mr.  Doncaster, 
the  chief  mate,  unknown  to  any  one,  went  out  on  the  bow- 
sprit, and  having  reached  the  end  of  the  jib-boom,  threw  him- 
self headlong  into  the  water.  He  had  scarcely  fallen,  when 
a  tremendous  wave  threw  him  upon  the  rock;  and  left  him 
dry;  there  he  remained  motionless,  until  a  second  wave  washed 
him  still  further  up,  when  clinging  to  some  roughness  in  the 
clifT,  he  began  to  scramble  up  the  rock;  and  in  about  half  an 
hour,  he  with  infinite  difficulty  reached  the  summit  of  the  cliff. 
The  crew  anxiously  watched  every  step  he  took,  and  prayed 
for  his  safety,  conscious  that  their  own  preservation  depend- 
ed solely  upon  it.  Mr.  Doncaster  immediately  went  round  to 
that  part  of  the  precipice  nearest  the  vessel,  and  received  a 
rope  thrown  from  the  main-top,  which  he  fastened  to  some 
trees.  By  means  of  this  rope,  the  whole  of  the  crew  were, 
in  the  space  of  three  hours,  hoisted  to  the  top  of  the  clifi*. 

The  whole  of  the  ship's  company  having  assembled  on  the 
rock,  bent  their  steps  towards  town.  The  plain  before  them 
had,  in  consequence  of  the  heavy  rain,  become  almost  impass- 
able; but  after  wading  about  three  miles  through  fields  of 
canes,  and  often  plunged  up  to  the  neck  in  water,  they  reach- 
ed St.  John's  in  safety;  where  they  would  have  died  for  want 
of  food  and  necessaries,  had  it  not  been  for  the  kind  offices  of 
B  Mullatto  tailor,  who  supplied  them  with  clothes,  beds,  and 
provisions,  and  did  them  other  kind  offices  of  humanity. 


Mtl  eP  TSB  BBIO  lALLT 


91» 


'V^i 


'.  -    n 


LOSS  OF  THE  BRIG  SALLY 

August  8,  1767,  while  in  latitude  25,  having  a  strong  gait 
of  wind,  the  brig  Sally  was  laid  to  under  her  main-ataj-sai. 
till  ten  )'clock  the  next  morning,  when  she  was  hove  on  her 
beam  ends,  and  in  less  than  five  minutes  turned  keel  upvmrds, 
so  that  they  had  only  time  to  cut  away  the  lanyards  of  her 
main-mast.  There  were  on  board,  Anthony  Tabry,  master; 
Humphry  Mars,  mate;  Joseph  Sherver,  Samuel  Bess,  John 
Burna,  mariners  who  were  drowned;  six  other  mariners,  viz. 
Peter  Toy,  Daniel  Cultan,  John  Davis,  Alexander  Lander- 
ry,  Peter  Mayes  and  William  Hammou,  having  got  hold  of 
the  top-mast  which  floated  alongside,  tied  it  to  the  stern,  and 
supported  themselves  by  it,  till  about  five  o'clock  in  the  eve- 
ning, when  the  cabin  boy  swam  to  the  hull  and  threw  them  a 
rope,  by  which  they  got  on  the  bottom  of  the  vessel,  where 
ihey  were  still  in  a  dismal  plight;  the  first  want  that  invaded 
them  was  drink,  this  drove  away  all  thought  of  meat.  The 
main-mast,  with  all  the  rigging,  the  lanyards  having  been  cut 
away,  came  up  alongside,  from  which  they  got  the  wreath, 
(a  square  hoop  which  binds  the  head  of  the  mast,)  with 
which,  and  a  bolt  of  a  foot  long,  they  went  to  work  on  her 
bottom;  in  the  mean  time  keeping  their  mouths  moist,  as  well 
as  they  could,  by  chewing  the  stuff  of  her  bottom,  she  not 
having  any  barnacles,  being  lately  cleaned,  and  some  lead 
which  was  on  her  bow,  and  drinking  their  own  water;  in  four 
days  time  Peter  Toy  died,  raving  for  drink,  whose  body  they 
threw  off  the  vessel  the  next  day.  In  this  manner  did  they 
work  for  six  days,  without  meat,  drink  or  sleep,  nor  daring  to 
lie  down  for  fear  of  falling  off  the  vessel;  the  sixth  day  they 
got  a  hole  in  the  brig,  where  they  found  a  barrel  of  bottled 
beer;  this  they  drank  very  greedily;  they  soon  got  another 
parcel,  when  one  of  them  put  the  others  on  an  allowance.— 
The  eleventh  day  of  their  being  on  the  wreck,  they  got  a  bar- 
rel of  pork,  which  ihey  were  obliged  to  eat  raw.  As  to  sleep, 
as  soon  as  they  got  a  hole  through  the  vessel's  bottom,  they 
pulled  out  a  great  number  of  staves  and  shingles,  and  made  a 
platform  in  the  same  place,  but  so  small  was  it,  that  when 
tbey  wanted  to  turn,  they  were  obliged  to  wail  till  the  ■•• 


'■■  ''    h 


MO 


LOft  or  THB    BBI«  lALliT. 


hoisted  the  Teiiel,  and  when  the  fell  again  with  the  aeft)  tkey 
were  almost  froze  to  death.  Thus  did  these  poor  miserabM 
fellows  live  for  thirteen  or  fourteen  days;  after  they  sot  the 
pork,  they  made  a  kind  of  net  with  a  hoop,  soa?e  shingles  and 
ropeS)  which  they  got  from  the  mast;  this  they  let  into  the  sea, 
with  some  pork,  and  caught  a  few  small  fish,  which,  with  two 
or  three  mice  they  caught  on  board  the  brig,  afforded  them  sev 
eral  most  delicious  repasts,  raw  as  they  were;  this  lasted  but 
a  few  days,  as  they  could  not  catch  any  more;  when  they 
were  obliged  to  return  to  their  pork,  which  was  become  quite 
putrid  by  the  salt  water  getting  to  it.  To  their  great  joy,  on 
the  1st  of  September,  in  lat.  26,  15,  long.  70,  10,  at  four 
o'clock  in  the  aflernoon,  they  could  just  perceive  a  vessel  to 
windward  of  them,  which  seemed  to  stand  some  time  for  them, 
but  soon  put  about  and  stood  from  them;  it  was  then  they  de- 
spaired, as  that  morning  they  had  drank  the  last  bottle  of  their 
beer,  and  that  one  was  all  they  had;  for  that  day  they  worked 
hard  to  get  at  the  casks  of  water  in  the  hold,  but  they  were 
■o  far  from  Iftem,  that  they  could  r  r»t  have  got  at  them  in  a 
long  time;  about  sun  half  an  hour  high,  the  vessel  stood  for 
them,  and  came  so  near  that  they  perceived  a  piece  of  can- 
▼ass,  that  they  on  the  wreck  supported  on  a  piece  of  board, 
bore  down  for  it,  and  about  seven  or  eight  o'clock  took  them 
on  board;  she  was  the  brig  Norwich,  Captain  Robert  Mo^es. 
Thus  were  they  relieved  when  death  stared  them  in  the  i^ce, 
by  a  captain  who  used  them  very  kindly,  gave  them  food  and 
clothes,  as  their  own  were  rotted  off  their  backs,  washed  t^eir 
sores,  and  gave  them  plasters,  as  they  were  almost  raw  )  mb 
head  to  foot  with  the  heat  of  the  sun  and  salt  water,  whicl  « 
muay  places  had  eaten  holes  in  their  flesh. 


■'■"^^^'V, 


•vwimiiiM  •?  imuiM 


SUFFERINGS  OF  EPHBAIM  HOW. 

Oc  Ihe  <25th  of  Ausust,  1676,  Mr.  Ephraim  How,  of  New 
Haven,  in  New  England,  with  his  two  eldest  sons;  one  Mr 
Augur;  Caleb  Jcnes,  son  to  Mr.  William  Jones,  one  of  the 
magistrates  of  New  Haven;  and  a  boy;  six  persons  in  all,  set 
■ail  from  New  Haven  for  Boston,  in  a  small  ketch,  of  about 
seventeen  tons. 

Having  despatched  his  business  there,  he  sailed  for  New 
Haven  on  the  10th  of  September,  but  was  forced  back  to 
Boston  by  contrar«y  winds.  Here  Mr.  How  was  seized  with  a 
violent  flux,  which  continued  nearly  a  month;  many  being  at 
that  time  sick,  and  some  dying  of  the  same 

Being  in  some  degree  restored  to  health,  he  again  sailed 
from  Boston,  October  10.  They  went  with  a  fair  wind  as 
far  as  Cape  Cod;  but  on  a  sudden  the  weather  became  very 
tempestuous,  so  that  they  could  not  pass  the  Cape,  but  were 
driven  off  to  sea,  where  they  were  in  great  danger,  ex- 
periencing terrible  storms,  with  outrageous  winds  and  seas. 

His  eldest  son  fell  sick  and  died  about  the  21st;  soon  afler 
his  other  son  was  taken  ill  and  die^:  also.  This  was  a  bitter 
cup  to  the  poor  father,  for  these  youths  were  his  only  assist- 
ants in  working  the  vessel.  Soon  afler  Caleb  Jones  died,  so 
that  half  the  company  were  now  no  more. 

Mr.  How  continued  in  a  very  sickly  and  weak  state,  yet 
was  necessitated  to  stand  at  the  helm  twenty-four  and  thirty- 
six  hours  together.  During  this  time  the  sea  was  so  boister- 
ous as  frequently  to  break  orer  the  vessel,  that  if  he  had  not 
been  lashed  fast  he  n^ust  have  been  washed  overboard.  In 
this  extremity,  he  was  at  a  loss  in  his  own  thoughts,  whether 
he  should  persist  in  endeavoring  to  make  for  the  New-Enff- 
land  shore,  or  bear  away  for  the  Southern  Islands.  Upon  hit 
proposing  the  question  to  Mr.  Augur,  they  determined,  at- 
cordins  to  the  custom  of  some  in  those  times,  to  decide  this 
difficult  case  by  casting  lots  They  did  so,  and  it  fell  upon 
New-England. 

Nearly  about  the  7th  of  November  they  lost  their  mddor, 
■o  that  DOW  their  only  dependence  was  upon  Provid«Ei#.     ta 


'^^ 


lUFriBlNOt    or   IPHRAIM   HOW. 


this  deplorable  state  they  drove  up  and  down  for  ■  Ibrtnickt 
longer.  During  the  last  six  weeks,  the  poor  infirm  Mr.  How 
was  hardly  ever  dry,  nor  had  he  the  benefit  of  warm  food 
above  thrice  or  there&bouts! 

At  length  about  the  2l8t  of  November,  early  in  the  morn- 
ing  the  vessel  was  drivee  \  on  the  tailings  of  a  ledge  of  rockt| 
where  the  sea  broke  violently.  Looking  out  they  saw  a  dis- 
mal rocky  island  to  the  leeward,  upon  which,  if  Providence 
had  not  by  the  ureakers  given  them  timely  warning,  they  had 
been  dashed  to  pieces.  They  immediately  let  go  an  anchor, 
and  got  out  the  boat,  and  the  sea  became  calm.     The  boat 

[>rovmg  leaky,  and   they  being  in  great  terror,  they  took  but 
ittle  out  of  the  ketch,  but  got  on  shore  as  they  could. 

Here  they  could  discover  neither  man  nor  beast.  It  was 
a  small,  rocky,  desolate  island,  near  Cape  Sable,  the  Southern 
extremity  of  Nova  Scotia.  They  now  appeared  to  be  in 
great  danger  of  being  starved  to  death,  but  the  storm  return- 
ing, beat  so  violently  upon  the  vessel,  as  it  still  lay  at  anchor, 
that  it  was  stove  to  pieces,  and  several  things  floated  to  the 
shore. 

The  following  articles  were  all  they  had  towards  their  fu- 
ture support: — a  cask  of  gunpowder,  which  received  no  dam- 
age from  the  water;  a  barrel  of  wine;  half  a  barrel  of  molass- 
es; several  useful  articles  towards  building  a  tent:  all  the 
above  drifted  from  the  wreck  :  besides  which  they  had  fire- 
arms and  shot;  a  pot  for  boiling;  and  most  probably  other  things 
not  mentioned  in  the  narrative. 

Their  tent  was  soon  erected,  for  the  cold  was  now  get- 
ting severe,  but  new  and  great  distresses  attended  them,  for 
though  they  had  arms  and  amunition,  there  were  seldom  any 
fowls  to  be  seen,  except  crows,  ravens,  andeeagulls.  These 
were  so  few,  that  they  cou'd  seldom  shoot  more  than  one  at  a 
time.  Many  times  half  a  fowl,  with  the  liquor  it  was  boiled 
in,  served  for  a  meal  for  all  three.  Once  they  lived  five  days 
without  any  sustenance,  but  did  not  feel  themselves  pinched 
with  hunger  as  at  other  times;  which  they  esteemed  a  special 
favor  Of  Heaven  unto  them. 

When  they  had  lived  in  this  miserable  condition  twelve  weeks 
Mr.    How's  dear  friend  and  companion,  Mr.    Augur,  di«*4, 
about  the  middle  of  February,  1677;  so  that  he  had  none  leQ 
(o  converse  with  but  the  lad,  who  likewise  departed  on  tbe  ^4 
ot  April. 

Mr.  How  was  now  the  sole  inhabitant  of  this  desoiaie  spoCi 
•unng  April,  May  and  June,  and  saw  fishing  yeaaelf  •▼••^ 


\ 


WWtk9m  FIOM  BALIFAX  TO  BimafUSA. 


SOW  and  then,  MiHng  b^;  some  of  which  came  otod  nearer  to 
die  itland  than  that  which  at  last  took  him  off.  He  used  aM 
Ute  aieans  in  hia  power  to  make  them  acquainted  with  hia  d^t^ 
iresa;  but  they  either  did  not  see  him,  or  were  afraid  to  ap- 

E roach  close  to  the  island,  lest  some  of  those  Indians  should 
e  quartered  there,  who  were  at  that  time  in  hostility  against 
the  English,  viz.  the  North-East  Indians,  who  held  ojt  after 
the  death  of  the  famous  Philip,  king  of  the  Wompanoags. 

At  len^h  a  vessel  belonging  to  Salem,  in  New-England, 
providentially  passed  by,  and  seeing  this  poor  fellow,  they 
sent  their  boat  on  shore,  and  took  him  away.  He  had  been 
on  tie  Iftland  more  than  seven  months,  and  above  a  quarter 
of  a  year  by  himself  On  the  18th  of  July  he  arrived  at  Sa- 
lem, and  at  last  returned  to  his  family  at  New  Haven.  They 
for  a  twelvemonth  had  supposed  him  dead;  by  which  it  ap- 

Sara  he  did  not  get  home  till  the  end  of  August,  or  perhapa 
»r 


•I/' 


/■  '\.  ■ 


VOYAGE  FROM  HALIFAX  TO  BERMUDA. 


On  the  6th  of  December,  we  sailed  from  Halifax,  with  a 
fresh  north-westerly  wind,  on  a  bitter  cold  day,  so  that  the 
harbor  was  covered  with  a  vapor  called  <*  the  barber,"  a  sort 
of  low  fog,  which  clings  to  the  surface  of  the  water,  and 
aweeps  along  with  these  biting  winter  blasts,  in  such  a  man- 
ner aa  to  cut  one  to  the  very  bone. 

Aa  we  shot  past  one  of  the  lower  wharfs  of  the  town  of 
Halifax,  just  before  coming  to  the  narrow  passage  between 
George's  Island  and  the  main  land,  on  the  south  side  of  thia 
magniPcent  harbor,  a  boat  p  it  ofi*  with  a  gentleman,  who,  by 
acme  accident,  had  missed  his  passage.  They  succeeded  ui 
getting  alongside  the  ship;  but,  in  seizing  hold  of  %  ropa 
which  was  thrown  to  them  from  the  main  chains,  the  boatmra 
1^  their  hurry^  ^l^ight  » turn  with  it  round  the  afiarthwarty  ii 


m 


'^t^^^'^mm^ 


9U 


flOf AOni  taOM  BALIfAX  TO  BBftMU»A. 


gtrad  «f  ratkinf  it  (kit  aoineirheM  in  the  low  of  the  boH.-^ 
Hm  inoritalvle  consequence  of  tliis  proceeding  wm,  to  nte 
lie  ftern  of  the  hoit  out  of  the  water,  and,  of  course,  to 
plunge  her  nose  under  the  surface.  Ev^n  a  landsman  wil 
comprehend  how  this  happened,  when  it  is  mentioned  that 
the  ship  was  running  past  at  the  rate  of  ten  knots.  In  the 
twinkling  of  an  eye,  tne  whole  party,  officer,  boatmen,  and 
all,  were  seen  floating  about,  grasping  at  the  oars  or  striking 
out  for  the  land,  distant  fortunately,  only  a  few  yards  from 
them;  for  the  water  thereabouts  is  so  deep,  that  a  ship  in  sail- 
ing out  or  in^  may  safely  graze  the  shore. 

As  the  intensity  of  the  cold  was  very  great,  we  were  quite 
astonished  to  see  the  people  swimming  away  so  easily;  but 
we  afterwards  learned  from  one  of  the  party,  that,  owing  to 
the  water  being  between  forty  and  fifty  ce  jiees  warmer  than 
the  air,  he  felt,  when  plunged  into  it,  as  if  he  had  been  sous* 
ed  into  a  hot  bath.  The  inst&nt,  however,  he  reached  the 
pier,  and  was  lugged  out,  like  a  half  drowned  rat,  he  was  lit- 
erally enclosed  m  a  firm  case  of  ice  from  head  to  foot!  This 
very  awkward  coat  of  mail  was  not  removed  without  consid- 
erable difficalty;  nor  was  it  till  he  had  been  laid  for  some 
hours  in  a  well  warmed  bed,  between  two  other  persons,  that 
he  could  move  at  all,  and  for  several  months  afterwards,  he 
was  not  well  enough  to  leave  his  loom. 

For  us  to  stop,  at  such  a  time  and  place,  was  impossible; 
so  away  we  shot  like  a  spear — past  Chebucto  Head,  Cape 
Sambo,  and  sundry  other  fierce  boking  black  capes  of  naked 
rock.  The  bre9ce  rapidlv  rose  to  a  hard  gale,  which  split 
our  main-topsail  to  threads,  and  sent  the  fragments  thunder- 
ing to  leeward  in  the  storm,  in  such  grand  style,  that,  to  this 
hour,  I  can  alinost  fancy  I  hear  the  noise  in  my  ears. — 
I  know  few  things  more  impressive  than  the  deep  toned 
sounds  caused  by  the  flapping  of  a  wet  sail,  in  such  a  fierce 
squall  as  tuis,  when  the  sht^ets  are  carried  a\/ay,  and  the  un- 
confined  sail  is  tugging  aiid  tearing  to  get  clerr  of  the  /ard, 
which  bends  and  cracks  so  fearfully,  that  even  the  lower 
mK«t  som<*times  wags  about  like  a  reed.  I  certainly  have 
heard  ih^^nder  frur  louder  than  the  sounds  alluded  to;  but  hava 
seldom  !(nown  it  more  efi*ective  or  startling  than  those  of  a 
sail  going  to  pieces  in  such  a  tea.pest  of  wind  and  rain. 

I  was  standing,  where  I  had  no  business  to  be,  on  ^ 

weather  side  of  the  qusrter-deck,  holdi^^g  on  stoatly  by  one  of 

he  belaying  frins,  and  wondering  where  thui  novel  scene  was 

to  and,  but  living  an  obscure  i&a  that  the  ship  was  f Mft|:  U 


><mmimm 


MMMM 


i^MMHIHHHHIii 


VltTACB  FROM  HALIFAX  TO  ■BEMiniA. 


Jbm  bottom.  The  admiral  was  looking  up  itt  tho  fpltttiiig  Mil 
as  composedly  as  possible,  after  desiring  that  the  main-top* 
men,  whose  exertions  were  quite  useless,  should  be  called 
down,  out  of  the  way  of  the  ropes,  which  were  cracking 
about  their  heads.  Every  now  and  then  I  could  see  tha 
weather-wise  glance  of  the  veteran's  eye  directed  to  wind- 
ward, in  hopes  that  matters  would  mend.  But  they  only  bo- 
came  worse;  and  at  last,  when  ^he  fore-mast  seemed  to  be 
really  in  danger,  for  it  was  beiidine  like  a  cane,  though  the 
foresail  had  been  reefed,  he  waited  not  to  run  through  the 
usual  r^^'^id  of  etiquettes  by  which  an  admiral's  commanda 
generahy  reach  the  executive  on  board  ship,  but  exclaimed 
with  a  voice  so  loud,  that  it  made  me  start  over  to  the  lee  side 
of  the  deck. 

"  Man  the  fore-clue  garnets!" 

In  the  next  minute  the  sail  rose  gradually  to  the  yard,  anj 
the  groaning  old  ship,  by  thia  time  sorely  strained  to  Ler  in- 
nermost timber,  seemed  to  be  at  once  relieved  from  the  pres- 
sure of  the  canvass  which  had  borne  her  headlong,  right  in- 
to the  seas,  and  made  her  tremble  from  stem  to  stern,  almost 
•8  if  she  was  going  to  pieces. 

The  next  thing  to  be  done  was  to  get  in  the  jib-boom,  in 
order  to  ease  the  bowsprit.  In  effecting  this  rather  trouble- 
some operation,  one  of  the  best  seameu  we  had,  fell  overboard. 
He  was  second  captain  of  the  forecastle,  the  steadiness  of 
whose  admirable  skill  as  steersman  had,  one  day,  elicited  the 
complimentary  remark  from  the  captain,  that  ae  must  surely 
have  nailed  the  compass  card  vo  the  binnacle.  On  this,  and 
other  accounts,  he  was  so  much  esteemed  in  the  ship,  that 
more  thun  the  usual  degree  of  regret  was  felt  fdr  his  melan- 
choly i'ate.  I  saw  the  poor  fellow  pitch  into  'ihe  water,  and 
watched  him  as  he  floated  past,  buoyant  as  a  cork,  and  breast- 
ing the  waves  nK)st  gallantly,  with  an  imploring  look  towards 
us,  which  I  shall  never  forget.  In  less  tha.i  a  minute  he  waa 
cut  of  sight.  A  boat  could  hardly  have  lived  in  such  weath- 
er and  no  further  attempt  was  made,  or  could  have  been 
made,  to  save  him,  than  to  throw  over  ropes,  which  all  fell 
■nort  of  their  mark.  Although  v/e  soon  lost  all  traces  of  him, 
it  is  probable  he  may  have  kept  sight  of  us,  as  we  drifted 
quickly  to  leeward  under  our  bare  poles,  long  after  we  had 
ceased  to  distinguish  his  figure  in  lae  yest  of  wavoi. 

This  gale,  the  first  I  ever  saw,  M'as  also,  I  can  recoQeet^ 
one  of  the  fiercest.  It  lasted  for  three  days,  totally  dispera^ 
mI  our  Uitlft  squadron,  well  nigh  foundered  one  of  'Heniy  Um 


ir 


BSS 


3B3ie, 


■■,;t,WJ.n 


n 


▼•fTAGB  VBOM  HALIFAX  TO  ■■BHU»A. 


Cambnan,  and  sent  her  hobbling  into  Bermuda  aona  diji 
aiier  us  with  the  loss  of  hei  main-mast  and  all  three  to^ 
masts. 

The  rock  of  the  islands  of  Bernckuda  is  of  a  Terr  soft  eoarst 
freeston^\  full  of  pores;  so  soft,  indeed,  that  ^f  it  be  requir* 
ed  to  make  an  additional  window  to  a  house,  there  is  noth 
ing  to  be  done,  we  were  told,  but  to  hire  a  black  fellow,  who 
with  a  saw,  could  speedily  cut  an  opening  in  any  part  of  the 
wall. 

There  is  nothing  more  remarkable  in  this  singular  cluster 
of  islands  than  the  extensive  coral  reef  which  fends  off  the  sea 
on  the  northern  side,  and  stretch  out  in  &  semi-circular  belt, 
at  the  distance  of  two  or  three  leagues  from  the  land.  Oa 
these  treacherous  reefs  we  saw  many  a  poor  vessel  bilged,  at 
moments  when,  from  seeing  the  land  at  such  a  distance,  they 
fancied  themselves  in  perfect  security. 

T*  ey  tell  a  story  of  a  boatman  who,  it  was  said,  lived  by 
these  disasters,  once  going  off  to  an  unlucky  vessel,  fairly 
caught  among  the  coral  reefs,  like  a  fiy  in  a  cobweb,  lot  '^sr 
from  the  North  Rock.    The  wrecker,  as  he  was  calk c'  !  ^  . 
ing  boarded  the  h      'dered  ship,  said  to  the  master, 

*'  What  will  >>  ^   give  me,  now,  to  get  you  out  of  thif 

place?*'*  V 

''  Oh,  any  thing  you  like- 

«  Five  hundred  dollars?" 

**  Agreed!  agreed!"  cried  the  other.  Upon  which  thim 
treacherous  pilot  kept  his  promise  truly  to  the  ear,  but 
broke  it  to  the  hope,  by  taking  the  vessel  out  of  an  abomina- 
bly bad  place,  only  to  fix  her  in  one  a  great  deal  more  intri* 
cate  and  perilous. 

"  Now,''  said  the  wrecker  to  the  perplexed  and  doubly- 
cheated  strangei ,  *'  there  never  was  a  vessel  in  this  scrape, 
that  was  known  to  get  out  again;  and,  indeed,  there  is  but 
one  man  alive  who  knows  the  passage,  or  could,  by  any  po»* 
sibility,  extricate  you — and  that's  me!'' 


-name  your  sum 


»> 


■t- 


<t 


I  suppose,"  drily  remarked  the   captain,  **  that  for  a  oeiv 
sideration,  you  would  be  the  man  to  do  me  that  good  service. 
What  say  you  to  another  five  hundred  dollars  to  put  me  inte- 
clear  water,  beyond  your  infern&l  reefs?*' 

.  This  hard  bargain  was  soon  made;  and  a  winding  Eessafe, 
unseen  befbre,  being  found,  just  wide  enough,  and  barely 
deep  enough,  for  the  vessel  io  pass  through,  with  only  eiz  ia- 
ohes  to  spare  under  her  keel,  in  half  an  hour  she  was  once 
in  blue  water,  out  of  soundings,  and  out  oi  danger 


LMi  df  tU  tEAfltPOBT  ■▲EMOIIB*. 

*'  Now,  maater  rascallion  of  •  wrecker^''  cried  the  diiMi> 
lancled  mariner,  "  tit  for  tat  is  fair  play  all  the  world  over; 
and,  *inles8  you  hand  me  back  again  my  thousand  dollars,  1*11 
cut  the  tow  rope  of  your  thievish  looking  boat,  and  then,  in 
itead  of  returning  evil  for  evil,  as  I  ought  by  rights  to  do,  PU 
be  more  of  a  christian,  and  do  you  a  very  great  service,  by 
carrying  you  away  from  one  of  the  most  infamous  places  in 
the  world,  to  the  finest  country  imaginable — I  mean  America. 
And  as  you  seem  to  have  a  certain  touch  of  black  blood  ie 
your  veins,  I  may  cnance  to  get  good  interest  for  my  loan  of 
these  thousand  dollars,  by  selling  you  as  a  slave  in  the 
Charleston  negro  market!  What  say  you,  my  gay  Mudian?" 


t 


^SS  OF  THE  TRANSPORT  HARPOON£R. 

The  hired  transport  Harpooner,  was  lost  near  Newfound- 
land, in  November,  1818;  she  had  on  board  three  hundred 
and  eighty  five  men,  women,  and  children,  including  the  ship's 
company.  The  passengers  consisted  of  detachments  of  several 
regiments,  with  their  families,  who  were  on  their  way  to  Quv 
bee.  On  Saturday  evening,  November  10th,  a  few  minutes 
after  nine  o'clock,  the  second  mate  on  watch  called  out,  *'  the 
ship's  aground  ;"  at  which  she  slightly  struck  on  the  outermost 
rock  of  St.  Shotts,  in  the  Island  of  Newfoundland.  She  beat 
over,  and  proceeding  a  short  distance,  she  struck  again,  and 
filled  ;  encircled  among  rocks,  the  wind  blowing  strong,  the 
night  dark,  and  a  very  heavy  sea  rolling,  she  soon  fell  over  on 
her  larboard  beam  end  ;  and,  to  heighten  the  terror  and  alarm, 
a  lighted  candle  communicated  fire  to  some  spirits  in  the  mas- 
ter's cabin,  v/hicli,  in  the  confusion,  was  with  difficulty  ex- 
tinguished. 

jThe  ship  still  driving  over  the  rocks,  her  masts  were  cut 
nway,  by  which  some  men  were  carried  overboard.  The  vessel 
diifted  over,  near  the  high  rocks,  towaids  the  miin.    In  tlui 


dl8 


^^^^ff!^3j|p88BSffB«P 


LOII  O^  tHE  tRAHSPORT   HARPOOlTBm 


■KM 


■ituahun,  every  one  bee  ne  terrified  :  the  suddennesfi  of  th« 
tea  rushing  in,  carried  away  the  births  and  stauncheons  be- 
tween decks,  when  men,  women,  and  children,  were  drowned^ 
and  many  were  killed  by  the  force  with  which  they  were 
driven  against  the  loose  baggage,  casks,  and  staves,  which 
floated  below.  All  that  possibly  could,  got  upon  deck,  but 
from  the  crowd  and  confusion  that  prevailed^  the  orders  of  (1m 
officers  and  masters  to  the  soldiers  and  seamen  were  unavaLi* 
mg  ;  death  staring  every  one  in  the  face ;  the  ship  striking 
on  the  rocks,  as  though  she  would  instantly  upset.  The 
■hrieking  and  pressing  of  the  people  to  the  starboard  side  was 
■o  violent,  that  several  were  much  hurt.  About  eleven 
o'clock,  the  boats  on  the  deck  were  washed  overboard  by  a 
heavy  sea  :  but  even  from  the  commencement  of  the  disaster, 
the  hopes  of  any  individual  being  saved  were  but  very  small 

From  this  time,  until  four  o'clock  the  next  morning,  all  on 
the  wreck  were  anxiously  praying  for  the  light  to  break  upon 
them.  Ti.  •  *;  from  the  stern  was  in  the  meanwhile  lower- 
ed down,  wh^  ne  first  mate  and  four  seamen,  at  the  risk  of 
their  lives,  pusned  off  to  the  shore.  They  with  difficulty  ef- 
fected a  landing  upon  the  main  land,  behind  a  high  rock, 
nearest  to  where  the  stern  of  the  vessel  had  been  driven. 
The  log-line  was  thrown  from  the  wreck,  with  a  hope  that 
they  might  lay  hold  of  it ;  but  darkness,  and  the  tremendous 
surf  that  boat,  rendered  it  impracticable.  During  this  awful 
time  of  suspense,  the  possibility  of  sending  a  line  to  them  by  a 
dog  occurred  to  the  master  :  the  animal  was  brought  afl,  and 
thrown  into  the  sea  with  a  line  tied  round  his  middle,  and  with 
it  he  swam  towards  the  rock  upon  which  the  mate  and  seamen 
were  staiding.  It  is  impossible  to  describe  the  sensations 
which  were  excited  at  seeing  this  faithful  dog  Atruggling  with 
the  waves  ;  and  on  reaching  the  summit  of  the  rock  repeatedly 
dashed  back  again  by  the  surf  into  the  sea  ;  until  at  lengthy 
by  unceasing  exertions,  he  effected  e.  lapding.  One  end  oi 
the  Hue  being  on  board,  a  stronger  rope  was  hauled  and  fatt- 
ened to  the  rock. 

At  about  six  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  1 1th,  the  first  per* 
•or.  virus  landed  by  this  means  ;  and  afler wards,  by  an  improve- 
ment in  rigging  the  rope,  and  placing  each  individual  in  slings 
they  were  with  greater  facility  extricated  from  the  wreck  ;  but 
during  this  passage,  it  was  with  the  utmost  difficulty  that  the 
unfortunate  sufferers  could  maintain  their  hold,  as  the  sea  beat 
OYor  them  and  some  were  dragged  to  the  shore  in  a  state  of  in 
■ensibility.   Lieut.  Wilson  was  lost,  being  unable  to  hold  on  tht 


MM  Of  mi  nuNiroET  RAAroomOL 


«  of  th9 
ons  bo- 
rowned^ 
ly  were 
which 
ck,  but 
rsoftho 
inavai!* 
itriking 
The 
ide  was 
eleven 
d  by  a 
isaster, 
small 
,  all  on 
k  upon 
lower- 
risk  of 
ilty  ef- 
I  rock, 
driven. 
>e  that 
endous 
>  awful 
m  by  a 
H,  and 
id  with 
eamen 
nations 
g  with 
atedly 
engthj 
nd  of 
I  fast- 
It  per- 
)rove- 
ilings 
;  but 
it  the 
L  beat 
of  in 
Atht 


ropo  with  his  hands ;  he  was  twice  struck  by  the  sea,  fell 
backwards  out  of  th6  slings,  and  after  swimming  for  a  consider- 
able time  amongst  the  floating  wreck,  by  which  he  was  struck 
on  the  head,  he  perished.  Many  who  threw  themselves  over- 
ooard,  trusting  for  their  safety  to  swimming,  were  lost ;  they 
were  dariied  to  pieces  by  the  surf  on  the  rocks,  or  by  tk^ 
floating  pieces  of  the  wreck. 

The  rope  at  length,  by  constant  working,  and  by  swinging 
across  the  sharp  rock,  was  cut  in  two ;  and  there  being  no 
means  of  replacing  it,  the  spectacle  became  more  than  ever 
terrific  ;  the  sea  beating  over  the  wreck  with  great  violence, 
wasked  numbers  overboard  ;  and  at  last  the  wreck,  breaking 
up  at  the  stern  from  midships  and  forecastle,  precipitated  all 
that  remained  into  one  common  destruction. 

The  parting  of  the  ship  was  noticed  by  those  on  shore,  and 
signified  with  the  most  dreadful  cry  of  "  Go  Forward  !" — It 
is  difficult  to  paint  the  horror  of  the  scene  ; — children  clinging 
to  their  parents  for  help  ;  parents  themselves  struggling  with 
death,  and  stretching  out  their  feeble  arms  to  save  their  chil- 
dren, dying  within  their  grasp. 

The  total  number  of  personti  lost  was  two  hundred  and  oight 
and  one  hundred  and  seventy-seven  were  saved. 

Lieut.  Mylrea,  of  the  4th  Veteran  Battalion,  one  of  the 
oldest  subalterns  in  the  service,  and  then  upwards  of  seventy 
years  of  age,  was  the  last  person  who  quitted  the  wreck : 
when  he  had  seen  every  other  person  either  safe,  or  beyonc 
the  power  of  assistance,  he  threw  himself  on  to  a  rock,  from 
which  he  was  afterwards  rescued. 

Among  the  severest  suiferers,  was  the  daughter  of  Surgeon 
Armstrong,  who  lost  on  this  fatal  night  her  father,  mother, 
brother,  and  two  sisters 

The  rock  which  the  survivors  were  landed  upon,  was  about 
one  hundred  feet  above  the  water  surrounded  at  the  flowing 
of  the  tide.  On  the  top  of  this  rock  they  were  obliged  to  re 
main  during  the  whole  of  the  night,  without  shelter,  food,  oi 
nourishment,  expos.ed  to  wind  and  rain,  and  many  without 
:3hoes.  The  only  comfort  that  presented  itself  was  a  fire, 
which  was  made  from  pieces  ^f  the  wreck  that  had  been  wash- 
ed ashore. 

At  daylight  on  the  morning  oi  the  12lh,  at  low  water,  their 
removal  to  the  opposite  land  was  effected,  some  being  let  down 
by  a  rope,  others  slipping  down  a  ladder  to  the  bottom.  Aftoi 
they  crossed  over,  they  directed  their  course  to  a  house  or 
fiahorman'i  shed,  distant  a  mile  and  a  half  from  tho  wrock, 


BEB 


s^ 


LOti  09  THI  TAAlflPOAT  ttAafMMA 


r  t 


where  ihej  /amained  until  the  next  day  ;  th«  proprietor  o 
thii  miserable  shed  not  having  the  means  of  supplying  relief  to 
so  considerable  a  number  as  took  refuge,  a  party  went  OTOr 
Uind  to  Trepassy,  about  fourteen   miles  distant,  through  a 
marshy  country,  not  inhabited  by  any  human  creature.     Thii 

5 arty  arrived  at  Trepassy,  and  reported  the  event  to  Measra. 
ackson,  Burke,  Sims,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Brown,  who  im* 
mediately  took  measures  for  alleviating  the  distressed,  by  do* 
■^)atching  men  with  provisions  and  spirits,  and  to  assist  in 
bnnging  all  those  forward  to  Trepassy  who  could  walk. 

On  the  13th,  in  the  evening,  the  major  part  of  the  survivors 
1, assisted  by  the  inhabitants,  who,  during  the  journey  carried 
the  weak  and  feeble  upon  their  backs)  arrived  at  Trepassy 
where  they  were  billeted,  by  order  of  the  magistrate,  propor* 
tionably  upon  each  house. 

There  still  remained  at  St.  Shotts,  the  wife  of  a  sorjoant  of 
tho  Veteran  Battalion  ;  with  a  child,  of  which  she  was  deUvofo 
ed  on  the  top  of  the  rocks  shortly  afler  she  was  saved.     A 

erivate,  whose  leg  was  broken,  and  a  woman  severely  bruised 
y  the  wreck,  were  also  necessarily  left  there. 

Immediately  after  the  arrival  at  Trepassy,  measures  were 
adopted  for  the  comfort  and  refreshment  of  the  detachmenta, 
and  boats  were  provided  for  their  removal  to  St.  John's  where 
they  ultimately  arrived  in  safety 


"^mmmmmmmm 


A  tUM  •§  TU  IBA 


y-i    i:. 


*.    /,: 


A  TALE  OF  THE  SEA. 


I  WM  a  bright  moonlight  evening,  and  so  wann  that  ovs 
9Kaw  'ay  aboui  the  deck  and  in  groups  with  hardly  any  coy#r* 
01$;  i  Itnink  I  never  saw  so  perfectly  clear  and  brilliant  a 
fiignt.  Some  of  the  officers  were  reading,  and  with  ease,  by 
the  lighi  oi'  tne  moon,  and  the  ocean  as  mr  as  the  sight  could 
sketch  was  a  gliUermg  mirror  without  a  single  ruffle  or  wave  ; 
we  lay  like  a  log  on  the  water,  with  all  sails  set,  but  not  a 
breath  of  air  to  move  them.     The  crew  were  collected  in  small 

Iiarties  about  the  ibrecastle  and  main  deck  listening  to  the 
ong  yarns  of  some  gray-headed  seaman,  about  the  '^  Flying 
Dutchman"  of  the  ^^Black  River  of  Gatand,"  whije  now  and 
then  some  favorite  sea  song  was  bawled  forth  from  the  laugh- 
ing crowd.  The  officers  were  walking  about  the  quarter 
deck  smoking  and  conversing,  and  occasionally  extending 
their  walk  so  far  as  to  listen  to  the  stories  of  the  forecastle. 
This  was  my  first  voyage  on  the  "  wide,  wide  sea,"  and  as  I 
was  the  youngest  of  the  mids  I  found  particular  favor  with 
several  of  the  oldest  seamen,  with  whom  by-the-by  I  liked  to 
associate  better  than  with  my  brother  middys — I  always  loved 
to  listen  to  their  tales  of  murder  and  battles,  and  would  sit  for 
nours  on  the  coils  of  rope,  and  hear  old  *'  Jack  Transom"  our 
second  mate,  an  old  man  of  sixty  years  relate  his  adveptures 
and  ^^  hairbreadth  escapes."  We  had  left  Port  Royal  on  the 
south  side  of  Jamaica  the  day  before  on  our  way  to  the  mouth 
of  the  Amazon,  and  were  at  the  time  of  this  writing  passing 
between  the  small  island  of  Monts-Errat  and  GuadaToupe  :  in 
the  distance  you  could  see  the  white  moon  beams  playmg  on 
the  fort  atid  beach,  and  glistening  on  the  low  roofs  and  white 
f  alls  of  the  little  capital  of  Guadaloupe.  I  was  standing  on 
\l  i)  capstan  with  a  small  night  glass  in  my  hand,  looking  at 
thii  opposite  shore  with  its  long  low  beach  with  here  and  there 
a  t  mall  slave  hut,  or  mound  of  loose  stones  piled  up  as  a 
covering  over  the  grave  of  some  drowned  sailor  who^e  body 
had  been  washed  on  shore.  I  dropped  my  glass  and  was  get- 
ting down  from  my  station  when  Jack  Transom  steppeoup 
ana  asked  for  a  squint,  I  handed  the  glass  to  him  and  after 
ooking  through  it  a  moment  he  handed  it  back  sayingy  **  Aj, 


'■  ■ 


nV  4  TAI.9  or  Ta»  fMA 

9gf  then  it  ftandi  with  its  creaking  chains  and  dqr  hoBM  ml* 
fing  in  tha  still  air  as  if  a  ten  knot  hreeze  was  ripping  oTsr 
t."  **  What 's  that  ?"  said  I,  eagerly  catching  the  glass  and 
pointing  it  where  *  old  starboard/  as  he  was  familiarly  called 
directea  me.  It  was  some  time  before  I  saw  what  he  meant 
When  I  did,  I  was  at  no  loss  for  his  abruf^  speech.  A  little 
north  of  the  town  oa  the  white  beach,  stood  a  tall  gibbet  with 
Its  chains,  and  even  as  old  Jack  said,  its  white  bones,  (k,T  I 
p?ainly  saw  them  even  at  that  distance  glimmering  in  the  rays 
of  the  bright  moon,  and  I  almost  fancied  I  heard  them  rattling 
and  shaking  against  each  other,  although  as  I  said  before, 
there  was  not  a  breath  of  air,  not  er.ough  to  move  a  feather  ; 
I  shuddered  at  the  sight,  £br  I  was  young  and  easily  affect- 
ed by  any  thing  terrible  or  sloomy — we  all  knew  that  *  old 
starboard'  was  on  one  of  his  Mong  yarn  tacks,'  and  in  a  short 
time  a  group  was  formed  around  the  old  fellow,  as  anxious  as 
the  crowds  of  coffee  drinkers  in  the  saloons  of  CQnstaiMtinople 
to  listen  to  the  wonderful  adventures  of  the  Caliph  Haroun 
Alraschid  or  Sindbad  the  Sailor.  "  It 's  now  forty  years  ago 
Of  thereabout,"  began  ^  old  starboard,'  stuffing  a  huge  quid 
of  the  true  Virginia  into  his  left  cheek,  '^  since  I  first  laid  eyids 
on  that  same  death  telling  gallows.  I  was  then  a  mere  foro^ 
mast-man  and  perhaps  rather  green,  seeing  as  how  that  WM 
my  first  tack  this  way,  and  only  the  third  time  I  had  ever  smelt 
salt  w^ater.  It  was  a  dark  stormy  night  with  a  ptrong  north- 
wester blowing  at  the  rate  of  ten  knots  an  hour,  and  we  wero 
beating  across  this  very  channel  under  a  heavy  press  with  the 
nopes  of  clearing  the  shoals  before  morning  ;  all  hands  were 
on  deck  clearing  off"  and  taking  in  some  of  our  light  canvass,  for 
the  gale  kept  on  increasing  and  our  main-mast  creaked  heavily 
with  its  load.  When  the  watch  ahead  bawled  out,  helm-a-)ee  ! 
hJil  a  head !  biit  before  the  words  were  scarcely  out  of  his 
mouth  we  were  upon  the  vessel ;  we  struck  her  about  mid  ship, 
carrying  away  our  bowsprit  and  dashing  in  the  forecastle  sails 
and  knuckle  timbers  as  if  they  had  been  glass ;  but  it  fared 
worse  with  the  vessel  we  met ;  she  was  small,  being  about 
seven  feet  in  the  water,  whereas  we  drew  nearer  fifteen — ^we 
passed  slick  over  her  .as  if  she  had  been  a  mere  bo^'s  play- 
thing. You  may  be  sure  there  was  no  standing  still,  every 
thing  was  hauled  up  and  we  were  before  the  wind  in  less  than 
haU*  a  shake,  the  boats  were  lowered  although  there  was 
•uch  a  sea  running  that  it  was  almost  impossible  to  live  ip 
a  small  boat — ^logs  of  wood  and  hen  coopS|  were  thrown  ovor^ 
ionrd  §Q  tM  >f  Mgr  w«ri  fUve  they  might  ipi«9  jtb«nuielT«»— 


▲  TALB  •F  TBI  tBA. 


our  dm  miite  wm  standinff  on  the  quarter  Uateniaf ,  wkea  hi 
declared  that  he  heard  a  ■hout-— we  tiiteoed  and  then  it  cmm 
again  and  again,  but  fainter  every  time — at  length  our  captain 
ordered  a  boat  out,  with  directions  to  put  in  to  the  shore,  pc^ 
come  off  in  the  morning,  as  we  should  lay  too.  That  night 
there  was  not  an  eye  closed  in  the  ship.  We  were  all  wait- 
ing for  the  morning,  for  many  thought  it  sheer  madneas  in  oui 
captain  to  send  off  a  boat  in  such  a  sea,  and  so  dark  a  nighty 
and  prophesied  that  she  would  be  swamped  in  less  than  tea 
minutes.  Though  no  one  said  so  to  the  captain,  for  he  waa 
in  one  of  his  gloomy  moods,  and  walked  the  deck  nearly  the 
whole  night  without  opening  his  mouth.  We  stood  off  and  on 
till  mornittf,  and  by  this  time  the  wind  had  lulled  considerably, 
and  we  had  a  moderate  breeze — as  soon  as  it  was  liffht  wa 
bore  down  to  the  little  bay  you  see  off  yonder  to  the  norm-eaat, 
and  having  anchored,  sent  off  a  boat  to  the  shore  ;  I  waa  in 
her,  and  I  shall  never  forget  my  joy  when  I  first  saw  oor  men 
standing  on  the  beach  and  hallooing  to  us — we  were  aoon 
among  them  and  asking  questions  enough  to  sink  a  liffhter 
After  leaving  the  ship  they  steered  as  near  a<9  they  could  tell, 
to  whore  the  cries  came  from  ;  after  running  about  ten  min- 
utes^ they  could  hear  them  plainer,  and  at  last  got  so  near  aa 
to  <ipeak  to  the  person — it  vj^"  a  man  who  was  clinging  to  a 
large  board,  and  was  nearly  exaausted — afler  a  time  they  got 
him  in,  and  finally  reached  the  shore — the  poor  fellow  waa 
nearly  gone,  and  could  not  speak  a  word,  so  they  took  him  to 
a  house,  and  afle/  awhile  by  rolling  nnd  warming  him,  brought 
him  to — it  so  happened  that  the  house  belonged  to  the  govemot 
or  whatever  they  call  him—and  as  soon  as  he  clapt  his  eyes 
on  the  man  he  knew  him,  and  had  him  taken  to  prison — and  !t 
turned  out  that  afler  all  our  trouble  we  had  only  saved  the 
pour  wretch  from  being  drowned  thr^i  he  might  be  hung — foi 
■s  it  was  proved  by  many  who  knew  him,  having  seen  the 
fellow  before,  and  by  pieces  of  the  wreck  which  floated  ashore, 
that  he  was  nothing  better  than  a  real  pirate,  (whose  murders 
were  so  numerous  they  could'nt  be  counted)  he  had  been 
taken  twice  before,  but  had  escaped  each  time — the  governor, 
to  be  sure  of  him  now,  ordered  the  execution  to  take  place 
iiat  day  ; — we  had  leave  to  stay  on  shore  and  see  it — he  lool^- 
ed  pale  and  half  d^adVhen  they  brought  him  out,  and  for  th^ 
■oul  f  i  me  I  could'nt  help  pitying  him,  he  stept  so  firm,  a^d 
went  so  wiNingly  to  meet  his  death — he  waa  led  out  to  the 
gallows  between  two  files  of  soldiers,  our  parson  talked  to  hian 
all  tha  wjf  but  ha  paid  no  attention  and  aeamad  to  bt  tkisli 


L9S1  OF  THB  LAST  OF  TMI  LABB, 


ng  of  lomothiiig  else.  Mayhap  the  ine  roaael  he  had  ImiC, 
and  all  that — we  saw  the  poor  fellow  swung  off,  and  then  went 
oack  to  our  ihip,  but  here  was  no  laughing  or  joking  that  day 
nor  the  next  either — for  we  all  felt  as  if  we  had  some  hand  in 
it,  and  wished  the  poor  devil  had  been  food  for  the  fishes, 
rather  than  to  have  fallen  a  prey  to  land-sharks.  The  body 
was  taken  down  and  then  hung  up  in  chains,  and  on  our  hoire* 
ward  voyase  we  saw  them  there  rattling  in  the  sea  breeze  and 
bleaching  m  the  sun.  I  have  passed  here  often,  but  I  have 
rever  forgotten  to  look  for  the  gallows  and  the  Pirate's  re- 
mains, and  I  shall  never  forget  that  night  while  I  live."  All 
hands  a  hoy  !  shouted  the  boats^vain,  and  in  a  moment  I  was 
left  alone.  Before  I  ^ent  to  vfiy  berth  I  took  one  more  look  at 
the  dreaded  object,  and  determined  if  ever  I  found  leisure  to 
^^aullit  the  story  to  paper 


^r  •  • 


-'  .>»'■. 


_v.-.. 


LOSS  OF  THE  LADY  OF  THE  LAKE. 


The  Ship  LaJy  of  the  Lake,  sailed  frem  Belfast,  on  the  8tk 
of  April  1833,  bound  to  Quebec,  with  230  passengers. — ^Th«> 
following  particulars  were  furnished  by  Capt.  Grant. 

On  the  11th  May  in  lat.  46.  50,  N.  and  Ion.  47.  10,  W.  at 
5y  A.  M.  steering  per  compasi*  W.  S.  W.  with  a  strong  wind 
at  N.  N.  £.  we  fell  in  with  several  pieces  of  ice  ;  at  8,  A.  M 
the  ice  getting  closer,  I  judged  it  prudent  to  haul  the  ship  out 
to  the  eastward  under  easy  sail  to  avoid  it  ;  while  endeavour- 
ing to  pass  between  two  large  pieces,  a  tongue  under  water  in 
the  lee  ice  struck  o^r  starboard  bow  and  stove  it  entirely  in 
We  immediately  wore  the  ship  round,  expecting  to  {ret  the  leak 
out  of  the  water,  but  did  not  succeed  ;  the  ship  now  611in^  fast. 
he  mate,  with  seven  or  eight  of  the  crew,  got  into  the  stem 
•oatp— ttftor  getting  bread,  heei,  oompaaa»  ke   Im  wo  tullod 


y 


MM  OT  mi  LAST  OV  TMB  UkMK  9m 

ftwaj  to  the  northweit — ^the  scene  that  then  took  pUee  it  W- 
yond  deicriptioD  ;  after  getting  the  long  boat  out,  the  pas 
■engers  crowded  into  her  with  such  mad  desperation,  that  aht 
wu  twice  upset  alongside,  drownina  about  80  of  tLem.  I  nam 
attempted  tc  save  my  own  life  and  succeeded  in  getting  the 
boat  clear  of  the  ship  half  full  of  water,  with  33  souls  in  her 
without  oars,  sails,  or  a  mouthful  of  provisions.  The  last  time 
I  saw  the  brig,  (the  ice  coming  between  her  and  us)  she  was 
sunk  up  to  he  toms^  vyl  ilraiit  ?0  of  the  passengers  in  the 
main-top-mast  rigging.  We  then  tried  .o  piil  il.er  the  othei 
boat,  with  the  bottom  boards  and  thufts,  but  got  beset  with  the 
ice.  We  now  expected  a  worse  fate  than  those  who  were 
in  the  vessel,  viz.  to  perish  with  cold  and  hunger.  The  next 
morning  the  wind  chanced  to  the  westward  and  we  got  clear 
of  most  of  the  ice.  l'^  then  pulled  to  the  eastward,  in  the 
faint  hope  of  some  vessel  pickmg  us  up,  and  at  noon  saw  a 
brig  lying  to  under  her  two  topsaUs — at  four  got  on  board  of 
her,  and  found  the  crew  just  leaving  her,  the  brig  in  the  same 
state  as  our  own,  sinking.  We,  however,  got  some  provision! 
out  of  her,  and  there  being  a  boat  lying  on  her  decks,  I  cot 
part  of  the  passenffers  out  of  our  own  boat  into  it.  In  the 
course  of  the  night  it  came  on  to  blow  from  the  south-west  and 
the  other  boat  foundered.  All  that  now  remained  alive,  to  the 
best  of  my  belief  or  knowledge,  out  of  a  crew  and  passengen 
of  280,  u  myself,  one  seaman,  two  boys,  nine  male  passengers 
and  two  female,  fifteen  in  all.  At  noon  on  the  14th,  we  fell 
in  with  the  master  and  mate  of  the  brig  Harvest  Home,  of 
Newcastle,  the  vessel  we  had  previously  been  on  board  of, 
and  on  the  evening  of  the  same  day  both  got  on  board  of  a 
loaded  brig  bound  to  St.  Johns,  Newfoundland,  after  we  had 
been  75  hours  in  an  open  boat,  half  dressed,  wet  and  frost  bitten  ; 
next  morning,  I,  with  the  remainder  of  the  crew  and  passeii- 
gers,  left  the  brig  and  was  kindly  received  on  board  the  ship 
Amazon,  of  HuU,  bound  to  Qucbee,  where  we  arrived  w 


